San Mu Bu Pm GBM 2 Ss 12Corrupters of Families

THE SUTTA ON THOSE WHO CORRUPT THE WELFARE OF FAMILIES

Kuladūsaka - Explanation According to the Vinaya Piṭaka

Context

The Kuladūsaka Sutta (Those who corrupt families) lies within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, expressing the profound concern of Theravāda Buddhism for the role of bhikkhus in the lay community. This sutta was recorded in the context of the Buddha establishing the rules for monks and nuns (Vinaya) in order to protect both the purity of the Sangha and the welfare of families in society.

The name "Kuladūsaka" (kulaṃ = family; dūsaka = one who corrupts or destroys) refers to monastics who do not preserve virtue, whose actions or speech are contrary to the teaching, thereby harming the reputation of the Sangha and causing families of lay followers to lose trust. This is a practical ethical issue that the Buddha Dharma values as an aspect of protecting the community.

Main Content

This sutta focuses on identifying the conduct of monks and nuns considered to be "corrupting families" (kuladūsaka). According to the Theravāda tradition, those gone forth must maintain purity of body, speech, and mind in order to be worthy of receiving offerings from laypeople. When a monk or nun behaves improperly, whether by lying, abusing the trust of donors, or performing actions contrary to the five basic precepts, they not only damage their own path of Dharma practice but also harm the faith of families.

Kuladūsaka does not speak only of serious violations, but also includes subtle faults: using the respect of laypeople for personal gain, not being honest in the practice of the Dharma, or causing families to lose faith in the Sangha through unfulfilled promises or actions not in accord with the teaching. The sutta emphasizes that the responsibility of one gone forth lies not only in self-cultivation, but also in protecting the trust and material and spiritual welfare of those who offer support.