San Mg Bu Pm Pj 3Murder
Pāli / Sanskrit:Manussaviggaha
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Commentary on the Manussaviggaha Sutta (The Offense of Killing a Human Being)
Background
The Manussaviggaha Sutta is one of the foundational rules recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Theravāda tradition. It appears in the section on Pārājika offenses — those transgressions that result in defeat (expulsion from the monastic community) — the gravest violations for those who have gone forth to train in the Buddha's teaching.
The historical context of this rule concerns specific situations that arose within the monastic community during the very lifetime of the Buddha. When monastics transgressed these prohibitions, the Buddha established a system of rules to protect ethical principles and maintain discipline within the Sangha. The rule concerning the offense of killing a human being stands as one of the most important foundations of the Vinaya Pitaka.
Main Content
Manussaviggaha, meaning "harm to a human being," or more precisely, "killing a human being," is defined in the Vinaya Pitaka as follows: if a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī intentionally takes the life of a living person — whether by hand, weapon, poison, or any other means — and that person dies as a result of that action, the monastic has committed a Pārājika offense — the gravest of all transgressions.
This rule encompasses not only the direct act of killing, but also indirect cases such as inciting another person to take their own life, or seeking to bring about a person's death through other means. The element of intention (cetanā) is of the utmost importance — the act must be performed with the specific intention of depriving a human being of life.
The consequences of committing a Pārājika offense in regard to killing a human being are extremely severe. The monastic is expelled from the community immediately and may not return to become a legitimate member of the ordained Sangha under any circumstances whatsoever. This constitutes one of the highest disciplinary measures within the system of the Theravāda Vinaya Pitaka.
Practical Significance
Although this rule is recorded with reference to those who have gone forth from the household life, it reflects a fundamental ethical principle of Buddhism: respect for living beings (ahiṃsā).
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