Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 115Not Following Mentor
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pavattinī-nānubandhana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Discourse on “Not Following the Teacher” (Pavattinī-nānubandhana)
Background
This discourse is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha section, where the rules of practice and the specific situations that occurred in the Buddha’s monastic community are preserved. The Vinaya Piṭaka is not a dry set of regulations, but practical guidance arising from concrete events in the earliest community of practice.
The Pavattinī-nānubandhana discourse was established when the Buddha and his disciples observed legal issues concerning obedience and following the guidance of teachers in the life of practice. In the Theravāda tradition, the relationship between teacher (upajjhāya) and student is a foundation of correct practice. Yet there were cases in which bhikkhus did not follow the guidance of their mentor, leading to improper actions.
Main Content
The title “Not Following the Teacher” indicates a bhikkhu’s refusal to follow the guidance or training of the appointed teacher. This is not simple disobedience, but the deliberate ignoring of advice concerning practice, whether about preserving the precepts, cultivating meditation, or developing wisdom.
The Vinaya Piṭaka recognizes that the practice of the holy life depends upon a relationship of trust between teacher and student. The teacher (upajjhāya) or guide (ācariya) is not an authoritarian figure, but someone more advanced on the path of practice who has been entrusted with the responsibility of helping others develop. When a bhikkhu does not follow this guidance, it damages trust and breaks the supportive structure necessary for collective practice.
The content of this discourse states that actions that do not follow the legitimate instruction of the teacher, especially concerning the practice of the Five Precepts (Pañcasīla) or higher trainings, violate a rule of practice. The discourse does not say that every instruction of a teacher is infallible, but it emphasizes that there are areas, such as basic discipline, meditation, and the development of wisdom, where following guidance is necessary for progress.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.