Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 6Memorizing the Teaching
Pāli / Sanskrit:Padasodhamma
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Explanation of the Padasodhamma Discourse (Padasodhamma Sikkhāpada)
Background
The Padasodhamma discourse, translated as “learning step by step,” belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically to the Pātimokkha, the list of 227 or 311 precepts depending on the school. This discourse speaks when the Buddha, because of an event related to bhikkhus studying, memorizing, and transmitting the teaching, set forth a rule.
According to the style commonly found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Buddha identified a problem arising in the Sangha, perhaps young bhikkhus being careless in memorizing scriptures or transmitting them inaccurately, and then established a training rule (sikkhāpada) to correct it. This discourse reflects the importance that early Buddhism placed on preserving the purity of the Dharma.
Main Content
Padasodhamma concerns a precept on the way of studying and expounding the Dharma (Dhamma). Specifically, this discourse teaches that bhikkhus are not permitted to confuse, add to, omit from, or distort the words (pada) when studying or teaching doctrine. Sodhamma means “in the proper way, accurately,” while pada means “word, phrase, or step.”
The purpose of this precept is to protect the accuracy of the teaching as it is transmitted from one generation of monastics to the next. In the Buddha’s time, before written records existed, the Dharma was transmitted only through memory. Therefore, small errors in individual words and sentences could lead to major misunderstandings of the deeper meaning.
This precept applies to those who arbitrarily change the teaching without instruction from an elder teacher or the Sangha. If violated, the bhikkhu must acknowledge the offense and correct it. It is one of the subtle rules, belonging to the Pācittiya category, actions that create minor offenses but still require confession.
Practical Meaning
Padasodhamma teaches that practice is not only an inward matter, but also includes accuracy in speech and transmission.
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