San Lo Bi Vb Pc 16Throwing Out a Monastic
Pāli / Sanskrit:Nikkaḍḍhana
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Explanation of the Nikkaḍḍhana Text (Expelling a Monastic)
Background
The Nikkaḍḍhana text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, found in the Pātimokkha Saṃvarabhaṇavāra section, the Pātimokkha discipline, of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled in the early years after the First Council, in order to prescribe discipline and ethics for monks (bhikkhus) and bhikkhunīs.
This text deals with a very serious issue in the monastic community: expelling a member from the Buddhist order. This is not a light penalty, but a final measure to protect the purity and cohesion of the Sangha. The appearance of this text reflects that even during the Buddha’s lifetime there were cases in which monastics violated basic principles, forcing the Sangha to apply strict disciplinary measures.
Main Content
The Nikkaḍḍhana text prescribes the conditions and procedure for removing a member from the Sangha. According to the Pāli Vinaya tradition, expulsion is only carried out when a bhikkhunī or bhikkhu maintains a gravely wrongful behavior and refuses to change, even after repeated admonition. Such violations may include actions contrary to the four Pārājika offenses, or actions that harm the cohesion and purity of the Sangha.
The process of expulsion is carried out through a formal decision (Saṅghakamma) of the Sangha, not by an individual or small group. This ensures that the decision is made fairly and transparently. The Sangha must have a sufficient number of members, and the decision must be passed according to the proper legal procedure.
One important aspect is that this text also states clearly that expulsion is not an indefinite punishment. If the expelled person changes their behavior, confesses, and asks permission, they may be allowed to return to the Sangha after observing the prescribed conditions for rehabilitation.
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