San Lo Bi Vb Pc 95Duḥśilā
Pāli / Sanskrit:Duḥśilā
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Explanation of the Duḥśilā Scripture (Imperfect Virtue)
Context
The Duḥśilā scripture is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the list of basic rules that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. In the Theravāda tradition, the Pātimokkha is recited regularly, forming the Pavāraṇā ceremony of invitation and self-disclosure.
The term Duḥśilā, transliterated from Sanskrit; in Pāli, Dubbhilā, means "imperfect virtue," "bad conduct," or "not keeping the precepts." This is not an independent scripture, but a specific rule, of the Pācittiya or Pārājika type, related to violations of conduct within the monastic community. The scripture number Pc 95 indicates that this is the ninety-fifth rule in the Pācittiya section, the lighter offenses that require confession when discovered.
The context in which this rule appears is usually connected with specific events in early Buddhism. Bhikkhus violated morality or behaved improperly, and the Buddha then established rules to maintain purity in the monastic community and protect the honor of the Dharma.
Main Content
Duḥśilā in the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka concerns situations in which a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī does not fully maintain virtue, leading to negative results. This rule may revolve around:
First, actions that violate the character (sīla) of a monastic, such as lying, misusing monastery property, or living in a way inappropriate to the religious life. A bhikkhu who lacks self-control and easily falls into faults will be recognized by the Sangha as having "imperfect virtue" (dubbhilā).
Second, secretive or dishonest actions, attempts to evade the rules or to pretend to practice while the inner mind is not devoted. Such people will be examined and may have to accept penalties, from admonition to temporary exclusion.
Third, the situation of "imperfect virtue" may also refer to disciplinary rules not fully kept, not because of deliberate breaking, but because of negligence. When discovered, that person must confess and undertake practice anew.
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