Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 165Departing Without Taking Leave
Pāli / Sanskrit:Anāpucchāpakkamana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Discourse on Departing Without Asking Permission (Anāpucchāpakkamana)
Background
This discourse appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha. It is one of the disciplinary rules (Vinaya) intended to maintain harmony and discipline in the bhikkhunī Sangha community of monks and nuns. Departing without asking permission is regarded as an act of disrespect, carrying potential risks for both the individual and the community.
These rules were established by the Buddha based on specific situations in the training of his disciples. When a bhikkhu leaves the community without informing anyone or asking permission, this can cause negative consequences: companions in the Dharma do not know where the person is, the person may be in danger, or the absence may affect shared community duties. Therefore, this rule was laid down to protect personal safety and maintain collective discipline.
Main Content
The Anāpucchāpakkamana rule states that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs should not leave their long-term or temporary residence without informing other members of the community, especially those responsible for leadership or management of the Sangha. "Asking permission" (pucchā) in this context is not merely a form of politeness, but an expression of respect for collective discipline.
When one wishes to depart, one should seek out a person of experience and virtue, usually a teacher or elder, to inform them of one's intention. This notification includes the destination, the expected time of departure, and the expected return. If there are obstacles or valid reasons why the person should not leave, this communication allows advice or adjustments to be given.
Departing without asking permission is considered an offense (a breach of the Pātimokkha) and entails corresponding disciplinary consequences according to the nature and degree of the violation. This emphasizes that in a community of practice, all personal actions must be harmonized with the common rules, because the welfare of the Sangha is always given priority.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.