Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 119Temperamental to Live With
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sokāvāsa
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Explanation of the Sokāvāsa Discourse (Sokāvāsa-bhikkhu-sikkhāpada)
Background
The Sokāvāsa discourse (Sokāvāsa, meaning “one difficult to live with”) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist tradition. It is one of the disciplinary rules (sikkhāpada) for bhikkhus, that is, those who have gone forth and observe the discipline of the Buddhist Sangha.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to guide the monastic community to live in harmony, self-awareness, and moral integrity. Each regulation arose from specific situations in the history of the Sangha, often from shortcomings or inappropriate conduct by the Buddha’s disciples. In this way, the Blessed One gradually completed the system of discipline, not for punishment but to nurture loving-kindness, dignity, and the capacity to practice meditation.
The Sokāvāsa discourse addresses the issue of temperament, disposition, and conduct among bhikkhus in the Sangha, especially those with difficult temperaments, who are prone to anger, or who do not know how to adapt to living together with fellow practitioners.
Main Content
This regulation deals with the situation in which a bhikkhu has an unstable temperament (sokāvāsa) and is difficult to live with for fellow practitioners (āvuso, those practicing the holy life together). Specific actions include not listening to admonition, easily feeling offended, or creating tension in the community.
The discourse states that if a bhikkhu continually displays such behavior, for example by speaking words that disturb fellow practitioners or refusing to accept instruction from elders, the Sangha has the right to apply training measures (adhikaraṇa). These measures are not punishments but mechanisms to help the bhikkhu return to the proper path of practice.
The discourse also emphasizes that the purpose is not complete expulsion, but encouraging the bhikkhu to correct his conduct, observe the discipline, and learn how to live harmoniously with fellow practitioners. If he is willing to amend himself, the Sangha will receive him back in a dignified way.
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