Preface This book is an attempt to give an organized, detailed account of the Patimokkha training rules and the traditions that have grown up around them, so that anyone whose life is affected by the rules--either a bhikkhu who lives by them, or a lay person who has dealings with the bhikkhus--will be able to find, gathered in one convenient volume, as much essential information as possible on just what the rules do and do not entail. Scholars interested in Early Buddhism or contemporary Theravada should also find the book interesting, as should anyone who is interested in the practice of the Dhamma and who is curious to see how the Buddha worked out the ramifications of Dhamma practice in daily life. The amount of information offered here is both the book's strength and its weakness. On the one hand, it encompasses material that has in some cases been unavailable in English or even in romanized Pali, and should be sufficient to serve as a life-long companion to any bhikkhu who seriously wants to benefit from the precise and thorough training the rules have to offer. On the other hand, the sheer size of the book and the mass of details to be remembered might prove daunt-ing or discouraging to anyone just embarking on the bhikkhu's life. To overcome this drawback, I have tried to organize the material in as clear-cut a manner as possible. In particular, by analyzing each rule into its component factors, I have tried to show not only the rule's precise range, but also how it connects to the general pattern of mindfully analyzing one's own actions in terms of such factors as intention, perception, object, effort and result--a system that plays an important role in the training of the mind. Secondly, I have provided short summaries for the rules, and have gathered them, organized by topic, in the Rule Index at the back of the book. If you are new to the subject of Buddhist monastic disci-pline, I suggest that you read the Rule Index first, to grasp the gist of the rules and their relationship to the Buddhist path, before going on to the more detailed discussions in the body of the book. I am indebted to the many people who helped directly and indirectly in the writing of this book. Phra Ajaan Fuang Jotiko (Phra Khru Nanavisitth) and Phra Ajaan Thawng Candasiri (Phra Nanavisitth), my first teachers in Vinaya, gave me a thorough ground-ing in the subject. Ven. Brahmavamso Bhikkhu gave many hours of his time to playing Devil's advocate during the long period of research that led up to the book, forcing me to deepen my knowledge and sharpen my interpretations. Ven. Phra Nanavarodom, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Amaro Bhikkhu, Bill Weir and Doris Weir all read copies of the manu-script and offered valuable suggestions for improvement. I, of course, remain responsible for any errors it may still contain. Although this book was many years in the research and writing, the decision to print it was given at short notice, and I had to prepare the final manuscript under severe time constraints. Thus there are bound to be editorial errors that have escaped my attention, for which I ask your indulgence. If you find any errors of substance or unclear explanations, please let me know. I dedicate this book in gratitude and respect to my preceptor, Phra Debmoli (Samrong Gunavuddho), and to all my teachers in the path of the Dhamma-Vinaya. Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) Metta Forest Monastery Valley Center, CA 92082-1409 U.S.A. Abbreviations A Anguttara Nikaya As Adhikarana-samatha Ay Aniyata BD Book of Discipline Cv Cullavagga D Digha Nikaya Dhp Dhammapada M Majjhima Nikaya Mv Mahavagga NP Nissaggiya Pacittiya Pc Pacittiya Pd Patidesaniya Pr Parajika Pv Parivara S Samyutta Nikaya Sg Sanghadisesa Vism Visuddhi Magga Contents Preface / i Abbreviations / iii Introduction: dhamma-vinaya / 1 chapter 1: patimokkha / 16 chapter 2: nissaya / 24 chapter 3: disrobing / 36 chapter 4: parajika / 38 chapter 5: sanghadisesa / 72 chapter 6: aniyata / 132 chapter 7: nissaggiya pacittiya / 137 One: The Robe-cloth Chapter / 137 Two: The Silk Chapter / 176 Three: The Bowl Chapter / 198 chapter 8: pacittiya / 225 One: The Lie Chapter / 225 Two: The Living Plant Chapter / 256 Three: The Exhortation Chapter / 279 Four: The Food Chapter / 294 Five: The Naked Ascetic Chapter / 333 Six: The Alcoholic Drink Chapter / 352 Seven: The Animal Chapter / 369 Eight: The In-accordance-with-the-Rule Chapter / 389 Nine: The Treasure Chapter / 406 chapter 9: patidesaniya / 424 chapter 10: sekhiya / 432 One: Proper Behavior / 432 Two: Food / 437 Three: Teaching Dhamma / 446 Four: Miscellaneous / 449 chapter 11: adhikarana-samatha / 452 chapter 12: appendices / 466 I. Controversial points: Dawn / 466 II. Controversial points: Sugata measures / 468 III. Controversial points: Meals / 469 IV. Pali formulae: Determination / 472 V. Pali formulae: Shared ownership / 473 VI. Pali formulae: Forfeiture / 475 VII. Pali formulae: Confession/ 481 VIII. The pupil's duties as attendant to his mentor / 483 Rule Index / 489 Bibliography / 503 "Now, Ananda, if the thought occurs to any of you--'The teaching has lost its authority; we are without a Teacher'--it should not be viewed in that way. Whatever Dhamma and Vinaya I have pointed out and formulated for you, that will be your Teacher when I am gone." --D. 16 The Buddhist Monastic Code The Patimokkha Training Rules Translated and Explained by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Geoffrey DeGraff) The Buddhist Monastic Code Thanissaro Bhikkhu