Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 35–40Pācittiya 35–40

Explanation of Pācittiya 35–40

Background

Pācittiya (Pāli) is one of the five main categories of offense in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the early tradition. The word pācittiya means “requiring confession” or “requiring repentance,” referring to offenses that call for formal confession before the Sangha. Unlike Pārājika, grave offenses leading to loss of monastic status, or Saṃghādisesa, offenses requiring intervention by the Sangha, Pācittiya offenses are lighter but still require active confession.

The rules Pācittiya 35–40 are found in the section regulating the conduct of bhikkhunīs within the monastic community. During the time of the Buddha Śākyamuni, the Buddha established these regulations to protect the Dharma, preserve the purity of the Sangha, and help nuns progress on the path of practice. Each rule reflects a specific situation that occurred in the community and was either praised or warned against by the Buddha.

Main Content

Although the detailed content of each individual rule in the sequence Pācittiya 35–40 has not been fully translated in the descriptive information provided, it can be understood that these rules regulate important aspects of the monastic life of nuns: interaction with men, use of personal requisites, conduct related to purity, and forms of social etiquette.

The legal structure of a Pācittiya rule is usually presented as follows: a description of the specific situation, the reason the Buddha promulgated the rule, and the statement of what constitutes an offense and what does not. Each rule is accompanied by a story from the origin case explaining the historical background.

In particular, Pācittiya is a type of offense that can be cleared through confession (pāṭidesanā) before a senior bhikkhunī or the bhikkhunī Sangha. This shows that the nature of Pācittiya is not irreparable, but is an opportunity for practice, a lesson in self-discipline and carefulness.