Lzh Mg Bu Pm Ss 13Corrupters of Families
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kuladūsaka
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Commentary on the Kuladūsaka Sutta (The Discourse on Corrupters of Families)
Background
The Kuladūsaka Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, reflecting the profound concern of Theravāda Buddhism regarding the role of the Saṅgha within lay society. The Vinaya Piṭaka not only sets forth rules for internal monastic practice but also establishes high ethical standards to protect the integrity and purpose of the fourfold assembly of the Buddha-Dhamma.
This sutta was composed in the historical context in which the Buddha and his disciples were building the monastic community upon clear principles. The misconduct of certain monks — in particular, those actions that caused harm to lay families — was regarded as a grave danger to the growth of the Dhamma. Accordingly, the Buddha set forth specific regulations aimed at protecting the good name of the Saṅgha and maintaining the trust of the wider community.
Principal Content
The Kuladūsaka Sutta addresses behaviors considered to constitute "corrupting families" (kuladūsaka) — actions that loosen family bonds, break up harmony, or cause harm to the honor of lay households. Specifically, this sutta concerns monks whose conduct is unbecoming of their robes.
In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, "corrupting families" typically pertains to conduct that sows division between husband and wife, between parent and child, or among other members of a family. It also encompasses actions that damage the honor or property of lay families. Such behaviors are regarded as profound ethical violations, because they cause harm not only to individuals but also undermine the very foundation of society — the family.
The Buddha emphasized that monks who engage in such conduct are causing injury to the Dhamma itself. They erode the people's trust in the Saṅgha, obstruct others from taking up the practice of the Buddha-Dhamma, and inflict lasting harm upon the long-term flourishing of the Dhamma. For this reason, such behaviors are clearly defined, and penalties or disciplinary measures are established to safeguard the purpose of the community of practitioners.
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