San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Pc 61Intentionally Killing Living Creatures
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sañcicca
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THE SAÑCICCA DISCOURSE: DELIBERATE KILLING OF LIVING BEINGS
Context
The Pātimokkha, the fundamental ethical rules of the Buddhist Sangha, was formulated to protect both the conduct of practitioners and the honor of the Dharma. Among the 227 rules for bhikkhus, the Sañcicca discourse is one of the most important rules, belonging to the fourth class, called Pārājika, acts that lead to expulsion from the Sangha if violated.
Pārājika, translated as "defeat" or "destruction," consists of rules established not as external tests but to engrave the most basic principle of Buddhism: life is sacred, and nothing is more absolute than loving regard for life. The Sañcicca discourse is recorded in the Samantapāsādikā, the ancient commentary on the Vinaya Piṭaka, emphasizing the factor of intention (cetanā), the spiritual core of every action.
Main Content
The Sañcicca discourse states that intentionally killing a living being is among the gravest pārājika offenses. "Intentionally" here means not only direct killing, but any action performed with a clear intention (cetanā-sampanna) to end the life of any living creature, from a human being to microorganisms.
This rule establishes three essential factors for a full offense: (1) the presence of a living being, (2) clear recognition that it is a living being, and (3) the deliberate intention to deprive it of life through action or speech. Any absence among these three factors diminishes the nature of the offense or removes it entirely.
The discourse also distinguishes between direct and indirect killing. For example, using poison to kill a creature, instructing another person to do so, or creating an instrument for the purpose of killing are all considered violations of the rule. More importantly, even if the result has not yet occurred, once the intention has been clearly expressed through speech or action, the offense is still recognized.
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