Lzh Mi Bu Vb Pc 51Intentionally Killing Living Creatures

The Sañcicca Text: Intentionally Killing Life

Background

The Sañcicca text, Intention, is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha of the Theravāda tradition, and addresses one of the most basic ethical issues in the virtue of bhikkhus: intentionally harming life.

In the historical context, the Buddha laid down detailed training rules based on specific events. The laws concerning killing did not appear at random, but were a direct response to violations committed by disciples. The Sañcicca text emphasizes the most essential factor: intention (sañcicca), a Pāli word meaning volition, an action undertaken with full deliberation.

This reflects a basic principle of the Buddha-Dharma: karma does not depend only on external action, but on the consciousness and intention behind it. An act done unintentionally or through negligence has consequences different from an act carefully intended.

Main Content

The Sañcicca text states that a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī who intentionally harms a living being, whether a human being, an animal, or any form of life, commits a Pārājika offense, an offense corresponding to loss of status. The word "intentionally" is very important here: it includes not only actively causing harm, but also accepting the result of death when performing an action.

The standard of application includes three factors: first, there must be a living being; second, the offender must know that the being is alive; third, there must be the intention to cause harm or the acceptance that the act will lead to death. Borderline situations, such as accidentally killing an insect while sweeping the ground or pouring water on plants, are carefully considered in later commentaries of the community, but the general principle is intention.

This text also points to the principle of karuṇā, compassion, unconditional mercy toward all living beings, as the foundation of Buddhist ethical conduct.