Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 120Not Following Preceptor for 6 Years
Pāli / Sanskrit:Not following preceptor for 6 years
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Scripture Commentary: Not Following the Teacher for Six Years
Background
This scripture belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Pāli Canon of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the body of scripture regulating monastic discipline, especially the rules of conduct for monastics in the Sangha. The scripture speaks of the case in which a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī does not follow the guidance of the teacher (ācariya) for six consecutive years.
In the Buddhist tradition, the relationship between disciple and teacher is a spiritual foundation. The teacher not only teaches the Dharma, but also guides the disciple in practice according to personal disposition, helping them overcome obstacles and develop wisdom. The act of refusing to follow the teacher’s guidance is regarded as a serious violation in Sangha discipline, because it breaks the teacher-disciple relationship and causes disorder in the monastic community.
Main Content
The scripture stipulates that if a bhikkhu deliberately does not follow the teachings, instructions, or admonitions of the teacher for six years, this is considered a Pācittiya offense, a fault under the Pātimokkha requiring confession. This is one of the rules in the category of improper conduct in the Vinaya.
“Not following” (appatissava) is not an occasional lapse, but a determined and continuous attitude of refusing or disregarding the legitimate instructions of the teacher. The period of six years shows that this behavior is not accidental but a deliberately maintained attitude of disobedience.
In the monastic context, the teacher is a person of experience, long trained in the practice, and recognized as possessing virtue and wisdom. Therefore, refusal to follow is an expression of arrogance, conceit, or lack of respect. It also weakens the general discipline of the Sangha and sets a bad precedent for others.
Practical Meaning
This scripture teaches us that in Buddhist practice, obedience (tassava) is not blind obedience, but rational obedience.
🌏 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.