Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 121Ordaining Without Permission

Scripture on Acting Independently Without Permission (Ananuññāta)

Background

The Vinaya Piṭaka records the rules of life for the Sangha, the community of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs who follow the Buddha. In it, the prohibitions (Pātimokkha) were built upon specific events in which the Buddha’s disciples violated ethical rules, after which the Buddha established rules to prevent recurrence.

The scripture “Ordaining Without Permission” (Ananuññāta, “not permitted,” “not approved”) belongs to the Pācittiya rules, the rules concerning lighter offenses. It relates to the issue of a person who wishes to go forth without approval from parents or lawful guardians. This is an important aspect of monastic discipline, because it protects both family rights and the purity of the Sangha.

Main Content

According to the spirit of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, a person who wishes to go forth to become a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī must have the approval of parents or lawful guardians. This rule is called “ananuññāta,” that is, not permitted, lacking official consent.

Why was this rule established? First, it expresses respect for family relationships and for those who raised us in childhood. Parents are the ones who gave birth to us, nurtured us, and protected us; going forth without their consent would cause suffering and imbalance within the family.

Second, this approval ensures that the person wishing to go forth has genuine motivation and has thought carefully, rather than acting from a temporary impulse or fleeing family responsibilities. It also protects the honor of the Sangha from people with impure intentions.

Those who violate this rule, whether by going forth without permission or by helping another go forth without approval, must undergo the corresponding penalties according to the degree of violation: from a Pācittiya offense requiring public apology to higher levels depending on the specific case.