San Sarv Bi Pm Tf 44 Sk 90Memorizing the Teaching

Explanation of the Padasodhamma Discourse (Padasodhamma)

Background

The Padasodhamma discourse belongs to the Vinayapiṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhadharma tradition. In the context of the early community, when the Sangha was rapidly expanding and bhikkhus from many different regions entered, the matter of preserving practice, especially transmitting and remembering the Dharma accurately, became urgent.

This discourse is recorded in the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the bhikkhu Vinaya, or related sections of the Suttavibhaṅga, the Detailed Vinaya Discourses. Its content focuses on the requirement for how monastics should remember, learn, and convey the Dharma accurately, from the word (pada) to the meaning (dhamma). This is the emphasis of Theravāda Buddhadharma on protecting the integrity of the Three Baskets through the oral tradition.

Main Content

Padasodhamma focuses on the principle of "the clear virtue of each word" (padasodhamma: from pada = word, sodhamma = clarity, purity of practice). The discourse expresses reverence toward every word of speech when learning, remembering, and teaching the Buddhadharma.

According to the Vinaya Piṭaka tradition, bhikkhus must:

First, study each part of the Dharma systematically, not arbitrarily, omitting or altering. Every word in the scriptures has profound meaning, reflecting the wisdom of the Buddha.

Second, remember accurately both the word and the meaning. A carelessness in expressing the words can lead to misunderstanding of the meaning, distorting the path of practice for the listener.

Third, when teaching others, preserve this purity and accuracy, like one transferring superior ginseng in a pure vessel, not allowing filthy impurities to be mixed in.

The discourse emphasizes that remembering the Dharma is the responsibility of each bhikkhu. If any bhikkhu does not learn or does not remember the Dharma, he may violate rules related to inaccurate teaching.