Lzh Mu Bi Pm Pc 54Scaring

Kinh Bhiṁsāpana: The Precept Concerning Causing Fear

Background

The Bhiṁsāpana Sutta (Scaring — "The Causing of Fear") is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically within the Pātimokkha (Prātimokṣa), the fundamental code of discipline for the Saṅgha. This section falls among the regulations pertaining to intimidation, the causing of anxiety, and threatening behavior, reflecting early Buddhism's concern for actions that inflict psychological or mental harm upon others.

The historical context of this text arises from specific situations within the monastic community, in which certain bhikkhus (male practitioners) or bhikkhunīs (female practitioners) made use of actions or words intended to cause fear in others — whether fellow monastics, laypeople, or even animals — in order to achieve personal or material ends. The Buddha recognized that such conduct was contrary to the spirit of compassion (mettā) and non-harming (ahiṁsā), and accordingly established specific precepts to restrain it.

Principal Contents

According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, intentionally causing fear in a living being — whether through words, gestures, or actions — constitutes a serious violation of the precepts. Specifically, if a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī harbors the intention of causing fear in another (bhayaṁ janeti) and carries it out, they commit a grave offense (duṣkṛta — wrongful conduct).

The text clearly distinguishes between cases: an unintentional act does not incur an offense, but if there is deliberate intent to cause anxiety or fear — such as threatening another person, making intimidating gestures, or speaking harsh and aggressive words — such conduct is prohibited. This includes the use of physical force or the exploitation of one's position to exert psychological pressure upon others.

The fundamental rationale of this precept lies in the protection of inner tranquility (samatha) and of harmonious relations within the monastic community.