Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 61Intentionally Killing Living Creatures
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sañcicca
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DISCOURSE ON INTENTIONALLY TAKING LIFE
Background
This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Pātimokkha, the basic rules for bhikkhus. The Vinaya Piṭaka records the historical arising of disciplinary rules when the Buddha directly witnessed specific events occurring in the monastic community and then set forth teachings for prevention.
The discourse on Sañcicca (intentional, deliberate) is one of the basic prohibitions, found among the grave offenses, whether Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa depending on the tradition. The distinctive point of this rule is that it does not only forbid the act of killing but also emphasizes the factor of intention (cetanā), deliberate purpose as the decisive criterion.
In the context of early Buddhism, bhikkhus naturally had to observe higher ethical standards than laypeople. This rule reflects the principle of ahiṃsā, non-harming, one of the foundations of Buddha Dharma practice.
Main Content
The rule on intentionally killing living beings prohibits actions carried out with the clear intention of taking life. This is not only a prohibition against killing human beings, but includes all living beings (pāṇa), from humans to tiny insects.
The key aspect is deliberate intention (sañcicca). An action is considered a violation only if the person acting has prior intention, knows the object, and acts with the purpose of killing. This means that accidental situations, lack of mental preparation, or incomplete awareness are considered differently.
The discourse also states that there is no distinction in the “importance” of living beings. Whether an animal is large or small, precious or ordinary, all are protected by this principle. However, some early traditions distinguish the degree of offense according to the being killed.
This violation has serious consequences according to the rules of practice: depending on the degree, a bhikkhu may be admonished, examined, or expelled from the Sangha if he refuses to repent.
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