Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 47Intentionally Killing Living Creatures
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sañcicca
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Interpretation of the Sañcicca Rule: Intentionally Killing Living Beings
Background
The Sañcicca rule belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of early Buddhism, specifically the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the analysis of the rules for female monastics. It is an important disciplinary rule defining the nature of an offense related to intentionally harming the life of living beings.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to help the community of monks and nuns (Sangha) maintain discipline and benefit people. Each rule has a background of arising, when the Buddha Śākyamuni observed the conduct of disciples and gave instruction to preserve the spirit of practice. The Sañcicca rule in particular concerns the factor of intention, a core concept in early Buddhism, since all moral action is determined by cetanā, volition or intention.
Main Content
The Sañcicca rule focuses on the content: “Whoever intentionally kills a living being, whether by hand, by an object, or by any means.” This is regarded as a Pārājika offense, an irredeemable offense, the gravest class of fault in the discipline for female monastics.
The essential nature of this offense is cetanā, the intention directing actions. Not every injury or death constitutes a violation of the rule; what is decisive is the deliberate intention of the actor. If a person does not intend it and only accidentally causes harm (abhinīhāra), or if the act is not completed, for example, intending death but the being does not die, the degree of offense differs.
This rule is also clear about the object: any being with life, from humans to the smallest animals, is considered a “living being” (satta). Life (jīvita) is identified through three factors: vitality (āyu), warmth (usma), and consciousness (viññāṇa). When these three factors are present, the being is regarded as alive, and intentionally removing them is a violation of the First Precept.
Practical Meaning
The Sañcicca rule is not merely a formal law for bhikkhunīs.
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