Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pc 98Outside Their Own Country
Pāli / Sanskrit:Tiroraṭṭha
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The Tiroraṭṭha Sutra: Restrictions Outside One’s Own Country
Background
The Tiroraṭṭha Sutra (Tirokhaṇḍaka) is a rule belonging to the Pātimokkha, the fundamental code for monastics in early Buddhism. Found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, this rule sets forth special restrictions for bhikkhus when they live outside their original country.
In the historical context of Buddhism, as the Dharma spread from India to other lands, bhikkhus faced a new situation: how to maintain Sangha discipline when far from their homeland. The Tiroraṭṭha Sutra was recorded to address this issue, reflecting early Buddhism’s concern to preserve the integrity of the Dharma under all circumstances.
This sutra is not a sermon but a legal regulation, proclaimed by the Blessed Buddha and the Sangha in order to establish boundaries (sīmā) and govern the Sangha strictly.
Main Content
Tiroraṭṭha addresses the subtleties of governing the Sangha when bhikkhus reside in unfamiliar lands. This rule establishes that certain regulations cannot simply be applied as they are, or must be adjusted, when a bhikkhu is outside his original country or region.
Specifically, the sutra states that certain legal proceedings (adhikaraṇa) may not be fully carried out if there are not enough members of the Sangha to perform them. This protects bhikkhus from unintended violations arising from difficult circumstances beyond their control.
The sutra also emphasizes that boundaries (sīmā, Sangha boundaries) must be formally established. If there is no clear sīmā, legal regulations that depend upon that geographical boundary do not have full force. Therefore, when bhikkhus are outside their country, they must establish a new sīmā if they wish to maintain the full range of Sangha karma, the official acts of the Sangha.
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