Bi Ss 1717. Being a corrupter of families

Kuladūsaka: Corrupter of Families

Background

The Kuladūsaka (Corrupter of Families) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Theravāda Canon, within the section on Bhikkhunī Saṃvara (the Rules for Bhikkhunīs). These are detailed regulations concerning actions that may lead to the most serious consequences for bhikkhunīs within the Buddhist Saṅgha.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Tathāgata Buddha's entry into Nirvana, based upon the principles and spirit of the Dharma that he had taught. Its purpose is to maintain the purity of the Saṅgha and to protect the welfare of the community of the faithful. This rule places particular emphasis on the importance of preserving the trust of the laity toward the Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Saṅgha.

In the context of ancient Indian society, the faith of lay families in the purity of Buddhist practitioners formed the foundation of both material and spiritual support. An action that undermines the reputation of the Saṅgha affects not only the individual concerned but also has far-reaching consequences for the entire community of believers.

Main Content

This rule stipulates that: if a bhikkhunī, through her actions or words, causes lay people in a given locality to lose faith in the Dharma of the Buddha, such a person is called a "corrupter of families" (kuladūsaka). These are not minor faults in practice, but actions of a publicly harmful nature that undermine collective trust.

The penalty for such a bhikkhunī is expulsion from the community of that locality (pabbajjanīya—expulsion). This is a severe punishment, distinct from other ordinary penalties within the Vinaya Piṭaka. This expulsion is not a permanent removal from the Saṅgha as a whole, but rather removal from the particular local community in which she has caused the harm.