Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 90Not Guiding Disciple After Ordination

Explanation of the Sutta: Not Guiding a Disciple After Ordination

Sahajīvinī-ananuggahaṇa

Background

This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka of Theravada Buddhism, specifically in the Pāṭimokkha section, which sets out the rules that monastics must observe. It is recorded in the context of the Buddha establishing strict discipline for the Sangha community in order to maintain purity and disciplinary management (Vinaya) within the Sangha.

The sutta speaks of the case in which a bhikkhu has accepted a newly ordained disciple, but afterward does not teach or guide that person. This is regarded as an act of moral irresponsibility and a fault in the role of a Buddhist teacher. The Pali name "Sahajīvinī-ananuggahaṇa" means "not giving guidance to one who lives together with oneself" — that is, not guiding a disciple who lives together in the monastery.

Main Content

According to the Theravada Vinaya Pitaka, when a bhikkhu gives ordination to a new monastic, he, the teacher, must bear comprehensive responsibility for that disciple's moral development, study of the discipline, and practice. A teacher cannot carelessly neglect that person.

This rule establishes that if a bhikkhu does not provide proper guidance to his disciple — such as failing to teach rules of conduct (sīla), failing to instruct in the cultivation of the mind (samādhi), failing to transmit wisdom (paññā), or leaving the disciple unattended — then this conduct is considered an offense (Pācittiya) in the discipline of the Sangha.

This offense is not as grave as other major offenses, but it still requires public confession. This reflects the Buddhist principle that there is a mutual bond between teacher and student: the teacher must instruct, and the student must train accordingly. This relationship is not merely formal, but must be a genuine commitment.