Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 16Throwing Out a Monastic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nikkaḍḍhana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta (Expelling a Bhikkhu)
Background
In the Theravāda Vinaya tradition, the Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta is a rule belonging to the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring confession. The background arose when Śākyamuni Buddha taught the bhikkhus about actions that violate the ethics of the monastic community, specifically the expulsion of a member from the Sangha.
This rule was established to protect the integrity of the Sangha and to ensure that decisions of expulsion are not carried out arbitrarily or from personal motives. Removing a bhikkhu from the Sangha is a serious matter, affecting both the person expelled and the harmony of the community of practice.
Main Content
The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta prescribes that if a bhikkhu expels another bhikkhu from the Sangha without following official procedures or without sufficient grounds according to the Saṅghādisesa and other rules, this act is considered a Pācittiya offense. Specifically, the action must satisfy certain conditions: expulsion must be carried out in a context where there are valid grounds concerning conduct or acts that violate monastic virtue.
However, if a bhikkhu declares the expulsion of someone who is not in fact an official member of the Sangha, or if the expulsion is carried out without the agreement of the community or not according to proper Sangha procedure, then it is wrong. What matters is transparency and fairness in all disciplinary decisions.
Practical Meaning
The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta reminds practitioners of the importance of justice and careful consideration in disciplinary matters. Expulsion is not an act to be performed hastily or because of personal dissatisfaction, but must follow strict procedure and be based on transparent reasons.
In the context of modern practice, this rule still retains profound value.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.