Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 153Throwing Out a Monastic

An Explanation of the Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta (Expelling a Monk)

Background

The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta is found in the Pātimokkha, the monastic code, in the Pācittiya section, the regulations concerning faults requiring confession. These are rules set forth by the Buddha to maintain discipline and harmony in the Sangha.

The background of this sutta comes from situations that arose in the monastic community, when a monk acted improperly or violated the rules of communal living, leading to the need for handling the matter through the disciplinary steps of the Sangha. This sutta specifies the process and conditions related to “expelling” or “excluding” a monk from the community of practice.

In the Theravāda tradition, maintaining a pure and harmonious community of practice is considered very important. Therefore, disciplinary measures are clearly prescribed, not for punishment, but for education and the restoration of discipline.

Main Content

The Nikkaḍḍhana Sutta concerns the handling of a monk whom the Sangha must expel from the community. Grounds for expulsion may include serious conduct violating the Paramattha (四根本條)—the most fundamental rules—or actions that harm the unity and purity of the Sangha.

The process of expulsion is not arbitrary. The Vinaya Piṭaka clearly states that there must be a full quorum of monks, usually at least four monks, who must unanimously decide together, and the procedural steps must be carried out properly. The expelled monk will no longer be recognized as a member of the Sangha and may not take part in communal activities or enjoy the facilities reserved for monastics.

However, the sutta also notes that expulsion is a last resort. Before that, the Sangha must carry out steps of warning and exhortation to correct the conduct; only when that monk continues to act improperly should the measure of expulsion be taken.