San Sarv Bi Pm Tf 3215 Ss 8Ordaining a Criminal

An Explanation of the Corīvuṭṭhāpikā Sutta (On Ordaining a Thief)

Background

This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka in the Pali Canon and expresses detailed regulations concerning the admission of people into the Sangha. The Vinaya Pitaka is the collection of monastic laws established by Buddha Shakyamuni to maintain discipline in the communities of bhikkhus and bhikkhunis.

The Corīvuṭṭhāpikā Sutta refers to a practical situation in early Buddhist history: whether a person with a past history of criminal conduct, especially theft (corī), may be allowed to go forth as a bhikkhu. This question is not theoretical, but arose from specific cases in which people with regrettable pasts came to Buddhism to reform themselves and undertake practice.

The historical context shows that the Buddha had an expansive concern for human transformation. He did not reject those who wished to leave behind a life of wrongdoing and follow the path of awakening. However, the Vinaya Pitaka also required certain standards in order to protect the Dharma and the purity of the Sangha body.

Main Content

The Corīvuṭṭhāpikā Sutta handles the issue connected with the ordination (upasampadā) of a person with a past history of wrongdoing. According to the Vinaya Pitaka, these regulations are called Pācittiya offenses or Samādhibhedaka rules, depending on the seriousness of the previous act.

The central issue is this: if a person has once stolen, can they be permitted to receive ordination as a bhikkhu? This sutta reflects the Buddha’s principle of atonement. If that person is truly remorseful, acknowledges the fault, and is determined to change their life completely, then this is a different context from continuing to commit wrongdoing.

However, the Vinaya Pitaka also has limitations. If the act of theft was connected with abuse of power or was a harmful entrenched habit (akosalābhinivesikā), then certain conditions must be satisfied.