Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 48Hitting
Pāli / Sanskrit:Pahāra
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Explanation of the Pahāra Discourse (Hitting)
Background
The Pahāra discourse, “Hitting,” is part of the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically belonging to the Pātimokkha disciplinary rules, where acts that violate the discipline of Buddhist monastics are recorded. This is not a doctrinal sermon, but a specific rule intended to govern the conduct of the monastic community, the Sangha.
The discourse was recorded on the basis of events that occurred in the community of the Buddha, when issues of inappropriate conduct arose and the Buddha needed to set forth a rule for instruction. The inclusion of pahāra, the act of hitting or attacking, in the Vinaya Piṭaka reflects that monastics must observe principles concerning violence and respect for the bodies of others.
In the Vinaya context of the early tradition, these rules are not arbitrary punishments, but ethical guidance based on the mind of loving-kindness (mettā) and self-control (sampajañña).
Main Content
The Pahāra discourse deals with the offense of fighting or attacking another person’s body, especially in the context of the monastic community. This act is considered a basic ethical violation because it reflects lack of mental control, lack of compassion, and lack of respect for the life of another.
According to the early Vinaya Piṭaka, the act of hitting is identified as one of the causes by which a monastic may be subject to penalties imposed by the community, whether Saṅghādisesa or even Pārājika, a more serious offense. The degree of violation depends on the intention, result, and conditions of the act of striking.
Importantly, the Vinaya Piṭaka does not merely forbid violent action in an absolute manner; it also guides monastics to understand the deeper causes of violence: arising from greed (lobha), hatred (dosa), and delusion (moha). The discourse teaches that monastics must always observe their minds and not allow anger (krodha) to lead their actions.
Practical Meaning
The meaning of the Pahāra discourse in practice lies not only in avoiding the actual act of striking, but goes deeper still.
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