Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 15Throwing Out a Monastic

THE NIKKAḌḌHANA SCRIPTURE: ON REMOVING A BHIKṢU FROM THE SANGHA

Background

The Nikkaḍḍhana scripture lies in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha Saṃvara, the training rules for bhikṣus, male monastics. This scripture belongs to the category of Pācittiya, violations requiring confession (yācana-kamma). “Removal from the Sangha” (nikkaḍḍhana) is a serious disciplinary penalty in the community of practice, applied when a bhikṣu violates basic ethical rules and does not make confession properly.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to protect the purity of the Sangha, ensuring that those who receive the bowl and robe, the clothing and property of a monk, preserve the spirit of practice. Nikkaḍḍhana reflects the seriousness of Theravāda Buddhism regarding matters of internal discipline.

Main Content

According to the Pāli Canon tradition, the Nikkaḍḍhana scripture regulates cases in which a bhikṣu is removed from the Sangha. This occurs when:

First, the bhikṣu repeatedly violates Pācittiya rules, lighter offenses, without showing sincere confession or correcting his conduct.

Second, the bhikṣu refuses to obey disciplinary decisions of the Sangha carried out according to proper legal procedure.

Third, the bhikṣu deliberately undermines the harmony of the community of practice or incites conflict among its members.

The process of nikkaḍḍhana is not an immediate punishment, but the final outcome after the Sangha has tried to instruct and reform the person through many earlier steps. Before removal from the Sangha, there must be warnings, opportunities for confession, and other forms of discipline such as parivāsa, temporary separation, or mānatta, a rehabilitative observance.

When a bhikṣu is subjected to nikkaḍḍhana, he is considered no longer within the community of practice and is not entitled to the benefits, respect, or support of the Sangha.