San Lo Bi Vb Ss 8Ordaining a Criminal
Pāli / Sanskrit:Corīvuṭṭhāpikā
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Corīvuṭṭhāpikā Sutta: On Ordaining a Criminal
Background
The Corīvuṭṭhāpikā Sutta (Corī = the name of a woman; vuṭṭhāpikā = related to raising up or supporting) is found in the Sankhārupakhanda of the Vinaya Mahāvagga, an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition. This sutta addresses a complex practical issue in the early community of monks and nuns: can persons with a history of crime be admitted into the Sangha?
The background arose as the Buddha and his disciples traveled through various regions and encountered individuals with different histories who wished to go forth. This question was not merely theoretical but an urgent practical matter: how could the purity of the Sangha be protected while still keeping open the door to transformation and liberation for everyone?
Main Content
This sutta records regulations concerning acting as a preceptor (upajjhāya) or teacher for a person accused of a crime (corī, a word that may refer to theft or violation of the law). The Vinaya Piṭaka states clearly that admitting such a person into the Sangha must observe strict conditions.
Most important is that the person wishing to go forth must first resolve any legal matters or the nature of the offense. They cannot use the Sangha as a refuge from their responsibilities toward the secular world. Even after going forth, if this person has persuaded their teacher that they truly wish to practice in search of awakening, there must still be openness, transparency, and approval from the Sangha.
The sutta emphasizes that the spirit of the Sangha does not deny the human capacity for change, but also cannot ignore social responsibility. It is a delicate balance between loving-kindness (mettā) and adherence to discipline (saṃvara).
Practical Meaning
The profound meaning of this sutta lies in protecting the integrity of the community of practitioners.
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