San Mg Bu Pm Pc 63Transferring to Another
Pāli / Sanskrit:Vikappana
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THE VIKAPPANA SUTTA (PERMITTING TRANSFER)
Background
Vikappana is a legal rule recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This discourse belongs to the Pātimokkha body of law, specifically in the Pācittiya section (offenses requiring confession). The rule arose from a specific situation when the Buddha and the Sangha lived in various vihāras (monasteries), especially when bhikkhus needed to move from one monastery to another because of the needs of practice or for other reasons.
The historical background of Vikappana is related to maintaining discipline within the Sangha community. When a bhikkhu decides to leave his monastery to move to another, this must be done formally and responsibly. The rule of Vikappana was therefore established to ensure that this process takes place transparently and with the consent of the Sangha.
Main Content
Vikappana (in Pāli, from the root "vi-kappana," meaning "to change," "to transfer," or "to make a change") states that a bhikkhu wishing to transfer from one monastery (saṅghārāma) to another must do so lawfully. Specifically, the bhikkhu needs to inform and seek permission from the Sangha of his present monastery, rather than leaving arbitrarily and unlawfully.
This legal discourse does not permit a bhikkhu simply to "change his mind" or transfer without appropriate confirmation. If the bhikkhu performs this act without following the official procedure, he commits a Pācittiya (penance offense), requiring confession before the Sangha.
The lawful procedure usually involves declaring one's intention before the Sangha or before senior bhikkhus in the monastery. This ensures that there is no confusion about the Sangha membership of each monastery, and also helps manage monastery property and mutual responsibilities clearly.
Practical Meaning
The deeper meaning of Vikappana goes far beyond administrative management.
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