San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Pj 3Murder
Pāli / Sanskrit:Manussaviggaha
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The Manussaviggaha Discourse: The Rule Forbidding the Killing of a Human Being
Context
The Manussaviggaha discourse, concerning a human body, is found in the Sutta Vibhaṅga of the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Pārājika rules, the gravest regulations that cause a bhikkhu who commits them to be expelled from the Sangha. This is the detailed explanation of the third Pārājika, concerning the killing of a human being.
The background arose from specific events during the Buddha’s time. In the early days after the Sangha was established, many bhikkhus had not yet fully abandoned former habits, or were drawn into difficult circumstances. This discourse records specific cases from which the Buddha established prohibitions to protect the integrity of the Dharma as well as human life.
Main Content
The third Pārājika rule declares: any bhikkhu who intentionally kills a human being (manussaviggaha, a human body), or seeks a way for that person to die, or praises death, or encourages another to commit suicide, commits a Pārājika offense, equivalent to losing the status of a bhikkhu.
The explanatory section (Vibhaṅga) clarifies the aspects of this rule. "Human being" (manussā) is defined as a human person capable of proper thought, not other beings. "The intention to kill" (chanda) is the decisive factor; without this intention, unintentionally causing death falls under lighter violations. The discourse clearly states many ways of causing killing: directly using a weapon, indirectly through poison, taking life by supernatural means, or leading another person to suicide.
The distinctions among cases are also set forth in detail: there are differences between killing one already born, one about to be born, or other complex situations. The Pāli discourse also records exceptions, such as when a bhikkhu defends himself appropriately and unintentionally causes death; that will be considered differently.
Practical Meaning
This rule is foundational for the First Precept, respect for life, which is the foundation of all Buddhist ethics.
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