Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 135Departing Without Taking Leave
Pāli / Sanskrit:Anāpucchāpakkamana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Sutta on Departing Without Asking Permission
Anāpucchāpakkamana
Background
The rule of Departing Without Asking Permission (Anāpucchāpakkamana) is one of the Parivāra rules, a Vinaya appendix in the Theravāda tradition. This rule is recorded to guide bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, and practitioners in the Sangha community to observe appropriate social discipline. The context in which the rule appears is often connected with occasions when the Buddha’s disciples did not inform their preceptor (upajjhāya) or teacher (ācariya) before leaving their place of practice, causing confusion and disunity in the Sangha.
In the Theravāda tradition, discipline in practice is not merely observance of formal rules, but also an expression of mutual ethics, respect, and compassion. Giving notice before departing is a sign of consideration, responsibility, and respect toward fellow practitioners as well as those who guide one on the path of the Buddha-Dharma.
Main Content
The Anāpucchāpakkamana rule states that those who have gone forth are not permitted to leave their dwelling, residence, or Sangha community without first informing or asking permission from those responsible for guiding them. The act of “departing without asking permission” (anāpucchāpakkamana) is regarded as a violation of social discipline, reflecting a lack of respect.
Specifically, a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī should inform the preceptor or the elders in the community of the intention to depart, including the reason, expected time, and destination. This allows the community to know the situation clearly, prepare necessary matters, and ensure that there is no unnecessary confusion or concern.
Violation of this rule is not a Pārājika offense, the gravest offense, but belongs to the type of violation requiring correction and public acknowledgment of fault before the Sangha community. Observing this rule clearly expresses the spirit of the life of practice: not absolute freedom, but freedom guided by ethical order and responsibility.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.