San Lo Bu Pm Pc 79Leaving Without Giving Consent

Chandaṁadatvāgamana Discourse: Leaving Without Consent

Background

The Chandaṁadatvāgamana discourse (Leaving Without Consent) is found in the Vinaya of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, an important part of the Pāli Canon used to regulate the communal life of monks and nuns. The Vinaya is not a set of arbitrary prohibitions, but conventions established by the Buddha to maintain harmony, order, and purity in the community of practice.

This discourse arose from a specific situation in the communal life of the Sangha. It concerns monks, nuns, or bhikkhunīs leaving the community without consent from the Sangha or from the elders. This is not a small matter in the context of the Sangha, the community of practice. Presence, collective commitment, and observance of common agreements are the foundation of the Sangha.

Main Content

In the Vinaya, “chandaṁ adatvā agamana” (chandaṁ = consent, adatvā = without giving/without having, agamana = going away) is regarded as a serious disciplinary violation. When a bhikkhunī or a group of bhikkhus leaves the monastery or practice area without approval or consent from the community, especially from elders or those responsible for management, this is considered a violation of the Pātimokkha, the basic injunctions.

This discourse reflects that, although the Buddhadharma encourages mental freedom and self-mastery in practice, respect for the collective and for commitments made is compulsory. The Sangha operates on the principle of harmony. A member’s departure without informing others not only causes organizational disorder, but also breaks the spirit of mutual support and trust in the community.

This rule also protects bhikkhunīs from potential risks. The presence of the community and mutual supervision are protective factors for bhikkhunīs in the social context of ancient India.