Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 16Throwing Out a Monastic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nikkaḍḍhana
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EXPLANATION OF THE NIKKAḌḌHANA SUTTA (REMOVAL FROM BHIKKHU STATUS)
Background
The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically within the Pātimokkha Saṃvara section of the Pātimokkha rules for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs. The background of this sutta is connected with specific situations in the monastic community, when some members did not observe the discipline or acted in ways that negatively affected the unity and diligence of the Sangha.
In the Theravāda tradition, the rule concerning removal from the community (nikkaḍḍhana) is considered an important disciplinary management measure. It is not a punishment of absolute exclusion, but a way to protect the integrity of the Sangha and provide an opportunity for awakening and correction.
Main Content
Nikkaḍḍhana, meaning “removal from bhikkhu status,” refers to a form of discipline in the Vinaya Piṭaka. According to this rule, a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī may be temporarily removed from official monastic standing if they violate serious regulations or do not obey the Sangha’s orders concerning the conduct of practice.
This process is not permanent expulsion, but a temporary measure intended for education and reform. The person subject to nikkaḍḍhana may be accepted back into the Sangha if they show sincere repentance, carry out the corrective steps prescribed by the Sangha, and promise to observe the discipline in the future.
This rule reflects the Theravāda Buddhist view of the importance of unity in the Sangha (Sangha Sammatī), respect for discipline (Vinaya), and the human capacity for transformation. It is not absolute rejection, but a call to return to the path of the true Dharma.
Practical Meaning
In modern practice, the Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta teaches us the deep meaning of discipline and community. For practitioners, observing the discipline is not the edge of a sword but a means of protecting body and mind.
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