San Lo Bu Pm Ss 13Corrupters of Families

The Sutra on Corrupters of Families (Kuladūsaka)

Background

The Kuladūsaka sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddha-Dharma and is found in the collection of training rules for monks and nuns. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka is not merely a collection of prohibitions or restrictions, but a system of ethical education intended to protect the integrity of the Sangha and uplift the spirit of practice in each individual.

This sutra was composed on the basis of specific events that occurred during the initial development of the monastic community after the Buddha had just established the Sangha. The historical background shows that from the earliest days, the Buddha had to face unethical behavior from members of the Sangha, which led to the issuing of rules to maintain discipline.

The title “Kuladūsaka” (corrupters of families) reflects the serious nature of the actions discussed: they are not merely personal violations, but actions that deeply harm what is called the “Buddhist family” — a community founded upon noble ethical principles.

Main Content

The specific content of this sutra has not yet been fully translated in the descriptive information provided. However, based on the title and the Vinaya Piṭaka context, the Kuladūsaka sutra very likely concerns actions regarded as “corrupting families” within the context of the Sangha, including:

Actions that violate the rules concerning brahmacarya (Sīla) — especially the basic rules that any monastic residence must observe. These violations may relate to faults in honesty, respect toward the Sangha, or actions harmful to the honor of the community.

The sutra may also mention the ethical and social consequences of such actions. In the Theravāda tradition, every action has consequences (kamma), and when a member of the Sangha violates the discipline, this affects not only that individual but the entire community of practice.