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Early Schools · Comparative Canon · Comparative Vinaya — Chinese

Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 134Cursing Another

Pāli / Sanskrit:Paraabhisapana

📖293 words · ~1 min read
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Interpreted by Inti AI (English)
🪷 AI interpretation

Paraabhisapana Sutra: Explanation on Cursing Another

Background

Paraabhisapana (from Pāli: para = another person, abhisapana = cursing, reviling) is a rule belonging to the Pātimokkha in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Theravada Buddhist tradition. This sutra is recorded in different Vinaya collections of the Theravada schools, and it concerns an offense connected with the act of reviling or cursing another person.

In the context of the Sangha, the rules of the Pātimokkha were laid down to maintain harmony, purity, and internal discipline. These rules are not arbitrary restrictions, but guidelines based on deep understanding of cause and effect (karma) and the effect of speech upon mental formations (cittasaṅkhāra).

Main Content

The rule on cursing another person (Paraabhisapana) forbids bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs from using abusive, cursing, or mocking words that humiliate others. In particular, if this speech is directed at another Buddhist, whether a bhikkhu, bhikkhunī, or layperson, the action is regarded as a violation of a training rule. The degree of offense depends on the nature of the speech and the intention behind it.

The act of reviling (bhāsa, pariggahita) is defined as the use of harsh, insulting, or intentionally hurtful words. According to the Pātimokkha, if a bhikkhu deliberately speaks words that he knows will cause pain or anger in another, this is a Pācittiya offense, a rule requiring confession and correction.

The ethical context here is very clear: Theravada Buddhism emphasizes that speech is one of the most powerful actions, because it arises from the mind and affects the minds of others. A curse is not only an outward act but the expression of a mind still governed by hatred (dosa) and delusion (moha).

Practical Meaning

This rule teaches us that language carries the highest ethical responsibility.

🌏Why is this sūtra summarized by Inti AI?

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Translation source: Interpreted by AILicense: VI: bản diễn giải AI · EN: AI translation from Vietnamese source, awaiting source English

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