Lzh Mi Bu Pm Pc 16Throwing Out a Monastic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nikkaḍḍhana
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Explanation of the Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta (Expelling a Bhikkhu)
Background
The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha Dharma and forms part of the Pātimokkha of the Sangha. The Vinaya Pitaka was compiled after the Buddha's nirvana under the confirmation of the arhats and noble disciples, in order to maintain discipline and protect the purity of the Sangha body.
This sutta addresses an important regulation in collective religious life: the case of excluding or expelling a bhikkhu from the Sangha (saṅgha). This is not an arbitrary punishment, but a final measure to maintain the purity of the community when a bhikkhu violates fundamental rules or refuses to correct his conduct.
Main Content
The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta regulates the process and conditions for expelling a bhikkhu from the Sangha. According to the Theravāda tradition, expulsion cannot be carried out arbitrarily, but must follow strict and public steps in the presence of the entire Sangha body.
The main reasons leading to expulsion include violation of the Pārājika offenses, grave offenses such as killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, or lying about having attained extraordinary realizations, or repeatedly refusing to correct one's conduct after being admonished many times. A bhikkhu who has been expelled is considered no longer part of the Sangha and cannot participate in collective acts of the Sangha, such as the ordination of bhikkhus, the ordination of bhikkhunīs, or other formal acts.
The process of expulsion is carried out through a formal act (kamma) decided by the Sangha according to the majority. During this process, the bhikkhu being expelled is still given one final opportunity to repent before the formal act is fully carried out.
Practical Meaning
The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta is not only an administrative regulation but reflects a core principle of the Buddha Dharma: active practice and ethical responsibility.
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