Lzh Mu Bi Pm As 4Further Penalty

The Tassapāpiyasikā Discourse — Further Disciplinary Measure

Background

The Tassapāpiyasikā discourse (Pāli: tassa + pāpiyasikā, meaning “further, more severe penalties”) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga. This is the canonical collection regulating the discipline of bhikkhunīs, women who have gone forth, in the Buddhist Saṅgha according to the Theravāda tradition.

The context in which this discourse arose comes from events in the early Saṅgha, when the Buddha built the framework of discipline to maintain order, harmony in the community of practice, and the honor of the Dharma. Texts in the Vinaya Piṭaka often begin with a specific story about a fault or inappropriate behavior of a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī, after which the Buddha establishes the corresponding rule.

Main Content

Tassapāpiyasikā concerns additional penalties or disciplinary measures for more serious violations of the Vinaya. In the Theravāda Vinaya system, violations are classified from light to heavy, with corresponding penalties:

Light violations may require only confession or minor rites of repentance. However, more serious actions such as violations of major prohibitions (Pārājika, Saṅghādisesa, Pācittiya) lead to heavier penalties, including public admonition, prohibition from contact with other members of the Saṅgha, or in extreme cases expulsion from the community.

The section “Tassapāpiyasikā” refers to more complex situations, where a violation of the precepts combined with other factors, such as intention, repeated behavior, or refusal to confess, leads to heavier and more prolonged penalties. It also deals with special cases where the application of the Vinaya must be adjusted according to the specific context, in order to ensure fairness and preserve the spirit of practice.