San Mg Bu Pm As 5Further Penalty

The Tassapāpiyasikā Sutta (Further Penalty)

Background

The Tassapāpiyasikā Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Butsuddhavagga, the chapter on disciplinary matters. These are regulations laid down by the Buddha Gotama to govern the community of monks and nuns after the Tathagata’s complete nirvana. This sutta records situations of offense and additional penalties, the “further penalties” imposed when bhikkhus violate established rules.

The Vinaya Piṭaka, or Vinaya, is the ethical and disciplinary foundation of the Sangha. It is not a set of arbitrary commands, but guidance promulgated by the Buddha to protect purity of conduct, preserve the honor of the Dharma, and maintain harmony within the community of practice. The name “Tassapāpiyasikā” means “additional penalty” or “aggravated penalty,” referring to the increased consequences of a fault when there is no remorse or when the violation is deliberate.

Main Content

In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, Tassapāpiyasikā deals with cases in which bhikkhus not only violate a rule once, but repeat the offense or deliberately refuse to repent. This sutta emphasizes the principle that faults must not be concealed or denied. When a bhikkhu commits an offense, he must acknowledge it, apologize, and undertake not to repeat it.

These “further penalties” may include many forms: from public censure before the community (pabbājanīya), to being barred from participation in traditional Sangha events, or even temporary removal from the community until genuine repentance is shown. The penalty is not intended to punish, but to reeducate and restore ethical purity.

This sutta also reflects the Theravāda view that action and its consequence (karma) are evident. A fault left uncorrected leaves a wound in the mind and in the community. Therefore, public repentance and acceptance of penalty are not shameful, but the perfection of the Dhamma Vinaya.