Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 54Hitting

Explanation of the Pahāra Sutta (The Sutta on Striking)

Background

The Pahāra Sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the collection of prohibitions for bhikkhus. In the historical context, this sutta arose from events that occurred at Sāvatthī or elsewhere during the Buddha’s lifetime. Bhikkhus in the Sangha community violated the rules that the Buddha had laid down to maintain the common ethical and disciplinary foundation.

This sutta concerns direct violent behavior, specifically striking (pahāra), an act that harms another person’s body. This is one of the violations recorded in detail in the Pācittiya section or other rules of the Pātimokkha, intended to protect the integrity and compassion of bhikkhus in training.

Main Content

The Pahāra Sutta deals with the issue of a bhikkhu performing the act of striking another person, who may be another bhikkhu, a bhikkhunī, or even a layperson. This conduct is considered a violation of the rule because it directly violates the principles of “non-killing” (Ahiṃsā) and “loving-kindness” (Mettā), profound ethical foundations of Buddhism.

In the Vinaya Piṭaka, specific situations are examined: the motive that caused the action, whether it arose from anger, the degree of injury caused, and the context of the incident. Depending on the circumstances, the act of striking may be classified at different levels of violation. The Buddha taught that bhikkhus must restrain the root of violence, namely dosa, anger and hatred.

The sutta teaches that any bhikkhu who strikes another person may be subject to disciplinary penalties or corrective regulations, depending on the decision of the Sangha and the degree of the violation. Above all, the Buddha emphasized that this is a sign that the monastic has not truly settled the mind and has not successfully cultivated the basic virtues.