Lzh Mi Bi Pm Ss 17Renouncing the Training
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sikkhaṁpaccācikkhaṇa
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Explanation of the Sikkhaṁpaccācikkhaṇa Sutta (Renouncing the Training Rules)
Background
In the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha-Dharma, the Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as a pillar of the Sangha community. The Suttavibhaṅga section of the Pātimokkha contains the training rules (sikkhā padā) that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. The Sikkhaṁpaccācikkhaṇa Sutta belongs to the regulations related to renouncing or formally declaring the giving up of the training rules of the Sangha community.
In the historical development of the Sangha, there were cases in which bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs wished to leave the monastic life or temporarily give up certain training rules. This sutta regulates the proper way to do this, in order to maintain the clarity and order of the Sangha community while also protecting both those who leave and those who remain.
Main Content
Sikkhaṁpaccācikkhaṇa, the declaration of renouncing the training, is a formal act that a member of the Sangha community may undertake in order to relinquish the responsibility of observing the training rules. This is not an arbitrary act, but must follow the specific procedure taught by the Buddha.
According to the Theravāda teaching, renouncing the training is not considered shameful if done properly. The Buddha understood that the path of practice is not suited to everyone, and coercion never leads to good results. If a person feels unable to continue with the monastic life, let that person declare this before the Sangha community openly and solemnly, rather than hiding it or running away.
The procedure usually includes that person standing before the entire Sangha community, acknowledging his or her decision, and declaring the renunciation of the rules that he or she had undertaken to keep. After this declaration, that person is no longer bound by the training rules of monastic life, and is not punished for violating things that he or she had previously vowed to observe.
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