San Lo Mvu 9The Second Bhūmi

Explanation of the Sutta on The Second Bhūmi

Background

The Sutta on The Second Bhūmi is an important part of the Suttavibhaṅga, the Analysis of the Rules, in the traditional Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka. It belongs to the Pāli Canon, specifically the Vinaya Piṭaka, where the complete rules that monks and nuns must observe are recorded.

The term “Bhūmi” in Pāli and Sanskrit means “ground,” “level,” or “layer.” “The Second Bhūmi” indicates the second level of a certain order, perhaps related to the classification of monastic violations or to stages of practice within the framework of the Vinaya Piṭaka. In the context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, bhūmi often refers to divisions according to the gravity of violations.

San Lo Mvu 9, the Samantapāsādikā, a commentary on the Vinaya Piṭaka, together with authoritative materials of the Theravāda tradition, shows that the bhūmi levels are used to distinguish among violations of the law within the Saṅgha, the monastic community. This is the foundation for maintaining discipline and the purity of the community of practice.

Main Content

The Second Bhūmi is the second classification in the system for evaluating Vinaya violations. In the structure of the Vinaya Piṭaka, violations are divided into many degrees based on the nature, intention, and consequences of the act. This second level lies between the lightest violations and the gravest violations.

Specifically, the bhūmis in the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka are connected with the Pāṭimokkha system, the great code of discipline. The Pāṭimokkha is the basic code that every bhikkhu must observe, including more than two hundred rules for male monastics. The Second Bhūmi includes violations of a middle degree: they are not offenses requiring immediate reconciliation, but neither are they minor violations that can be confessed simply.

Violations belonging to this level usually require specific corrective measures, possibly including rites of confession before the Sangha or temporary penalties.