Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 46Intentionally Killing Living Creatures
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sañcicca
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An Explanation of the Sañcicca Discourse (Intentionally Killing Living Beings)
Background
The Sañcicca discourse belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka of the early Buddha Dharma tradition, specifically within the Pāṭimokkha, the collection of basic disciplinary precepts for monastics. This is one of the prohibitions (Pārājika or Pācittiya) laid down by Buddha Shakyamuni to protect the independent spiritual character and spiritual orientation of those who study the Buddha Dharma.
The historical background of this discourse comes from events in the early community of monks and nuns, when the Buddha discovered that some monastics had acted in violation of the basic principle of non-killing. The Sañcicca discourse was therefore recorded as a clear warning and also as an educational tool to help disciples understand the nature of intentional action (sañcicca) in the process of practicing Buddhism.
Main Content
The Sañcicca discourse focuses on prohibiting monastics from intentionally killing any living being, from the smallest creatures to the largest. The key point of the discourse is its emphasis on conscious intention (sañcicca), that is, the action must be performed deliberately, with a clear intention to take the life of another living being.
According to the Theravāda tradition, if a monastic intentionally kills any living being with the intention to cause death, this act is considered a Pārājika offense, a complete prohibition and the gravest violation in the Pāṭimokkha. This means that the person will be expelled from the Sangha body and no longer permitted to continue the monastic life.
The discourse not only states the prohibition, but also clearly explains the factors constituting the violation: there must be a living being, there must be the intention to kill, there must be a corresponding action, and finally it must result in the death of that living being. If any of these factors is absent, the violation may be classified at lighter degrees.
Practical Meaning
At the heart of the Sañcicca discourse is the teaching of ahiṃsā (non-harming), one of the core ethical values of the Buddha Dharma.
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