Lzh Mi Bi Vb Sk 1–100Rules for Training

Exposition of the Sekhiya Sutta (Rules for Training)

Background

Sekhiya (Pāli: Sekhiya) means “things belonging to one in training” or “rules for those still undergoing training.” This section is an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically found in the Khandhaka, the chapters concerning acts within monastic discipline. The Sekhiya rules were laid down by the Buddha to regulate the details of conduct, attitude, and almsgoing practice of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs in the daily life of the monastic community.

These rules arose from specific incidents, when bhikkhus engaged in conduct that was unworthy, and the Buddha then established precepts to help the monastic community preserve discipline and create a pure environment for the practice of the Dharma.

Main Content

The Sekhiya discourse contains about one hundred detailed rules concerning “small” actions that nevertheless have great impact on the purity of conduct and intention. These are not major rules such as Pārājika (offenses leading to expulsion) or Saṅghādisesa (offenses requiring proceedings before the Sangha), but are foundational rules for daily deportment.

The content includes: conduct while walking (walking with dignity, not jumping about or running), ways of eating (eating delicately, not chewing noisily, not spitting out food), ways of speaking (not speaking loudly or laughing loudly, not babbling), ways of interacting with fellow trainees (not pushing others or pointing at them), and ways of using requisites (being careful with robes, alms bowls, and shared implements). Every rule is founded on the principle that a bhikkhu should train in this way so that he himself may be purified, the Sangha may be respected, and the Buddha-Dharma may be taught for a long time.

The structure of the Sekhiya follows a repeated formula: “A bhikkhu should train thus: ‘I will...’ according to this rule. A bhikkhu who trains in this way is said to train according to this rule.”