Patimokka

Question 1

What is the patimokkha

Answer 1

A Buddhist monastic code: a set of 227 rules for monks and 311 for nuns that govern daily activities of the monk and nun.
It forms a key part of the vinya pitaka which is the first section of the pali canon which is the scriptural foundation of Theravada Buddhism

Question 2

What are the parajikas?

Answer 2

The defeats or behaviour that forces de robing and expulsion from the monastic order

Question 3

How’s does the patinokka regulate monastic life

Answer 3

It provided detailed guidelines for behaviour and responsibilities, and daily life monks and nuns
It covers various aspects of monastic life including how to dress, food, interaction with lay people, and relationships with the monastic community

Question 4

How does the patimokkh help with spiritual development

Answer 4

The patimokka allows monks and nuns to to cultivate discpline, mindfulness, and moral purity. This discipline is considered essential for their spiritual progress the development of wisdom and insight necessary for enlightenment

Question 5

How does the patimokkha help with the sangha harmony

Answer 5

The rules of the patimokkha help to maintain harmony and cohesion within the monastic community. They provide a framework for resolving conflicts ensuring fairness and providing a mutual respect among other members of the sangha

Question 6

Why is the patimokkha crucial for historic continuity

Answer 6

The patimokka has been recited and upheld since the time of the Buddha
It allows preserve the original teaching and practises of Buddhist, maintaining a direct link to the Buddhas instructions.

Question 7

How is the patimokka a guidance for ethical behaviour

Answer 7

The patimokka sets an ethical standard for monks and nuns, serving as a guide for ethical behaviour and decision making. It helped the avoid actions that could lead to harm or negative karma

Question 8

When does the recitation the the patimokkha happen?

Answer 8

It occurs on the full moon and new moon days
During the ceremony called upsotha
During this ceremony the monks gather to recite the rules
Confession of any transgression
Reaffirms, their commitment to the monastic code

This regular recitation helps reinforce the importance of the t rules and allows the community to address any issues or breaches of discipline promptly

Question 9

Who is the partimokkha essential for

Answer 9

Therevada monk and nuns

Question 10

How is the first council important for the patimokkh?

Answer 10

After the Buddha’s death, the first Buddhist council, held at Rajagaha (modern Rajgir) around 483 BCE, played a crucial role in preserving and organizing the teachings, including the Vinaya (discipline) which encompasses the Patimokkha.

Question 11

How did the patimokkha come into place Andy why was it important

Answer 11

To establish rules that all monk and nun followed to keep the monastic community together

Question 12

What are the three Buddhist councils

Answer 12

It was in response to ttutides that early monks felt as if they needed to get together and consolidate the rules of practising the middle way
A set of codes of conduct for the sangha
There gatherings were known as the councils
The main three councils were very important too Buddhist now and back when they first happened.

Question 13

What was established at the first council

Answer 13

It was held three months after the death of the Buddha
It lasted for bout seven months and was held under the patronage of king ajatsattue

The purpose of the council?:
To establish thr principles of practise for the sangha called the vinya which was discipline or code of conduct
To establish the teachings of the Buddha that had been transmitted orally

Question 14

Who was the monk who oversaw the vinya in the first council

Answer 14

Kassapa and the Buddhas cousin anada and was also kasspa personal assistant
Anada said that he had been told by the Buddha the rules and that the Buddha said that they minor rules could be abolished after his death

Question 15

What was the outcome of the first council

Answer 15

That all th rules should be kept the same as they were when the Buddha was alive and no rules should be added into it
Most scholars would accept that the basis rules on vinya was pretty much established at this time although what they rules precisely were was unclear w

Question 16

What was the second council

Answer 16

Was held 100 years later after the first council in response to much internal conflict in the sangha.
There was a dispute about how the rules were being applied.

Question 17

Why did Harvey think that th rules weren’t working in the sangha

Answer 17

Certain monks weren’t lax about the procedures nd id don’t think they were right

Question 18

What do the second council outcome get

Answer 18

After thorough examination, the council declared that the ten practices were indeed violations of the Vinaya. The orthodox position prevailed, and the practices were rejected as inappropriate for monastic conduct.
The ruling reinforced the adherence to the original Vinaya rules, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strict discipline within the Sangha.
The council’s decision helped prevent the formal schism within the monastic community at that time, ensuring a degree of unity and consistency in monastic practice.

Question 19

What were some of the ten points in the second council

Answer 19

Store salt in a horn.
Eat after midday.
Accept silver and gold (money).
Consume fermented beverages.
Follow lax rules regarding meal timings and minor precepts.

Question 20

What happened in the third council

Answer 20

17 years later
Lasted nine months
It was clear that the therevada was spelled at the council and their was known to be a split between sthaviravadins and mashasnghik but it is unknown what happened

Question 21

What happened at the third council

Answer 21

17 years latter
It is clear that the Theravada school was settled t this council and any undesirable elements were removed
There was a split between sthaviravadins and mahasangika is unknown why it actually happened

Question 22

Overall what happened throughout the three councils

Answer 22

It established what is not known as the vinya of the therevada tradition
The basic vinya in the form of the patimokkha had been orally transmitted and preserved through chanting by the Buddhist orders

Question 23

Why is the first council relevant to the patimokkha

Answer 23

During the council, the monk Upali recited the Vinaya Pitaka, which includes the Patimokkha.
This recitation helped standardize the monastic rules, ensuring that the original teachings and regulations, including the Patimokkha, were preserved accurately.
The Patimokkha was thus formally codified and accepted as an essential part of the Vinaya, establishing its importance in monastic life.

Question 24

Why is the second council revelant to the patikmokk

Answer 24

The disputes were primarily about the adherence to the Vinaya rules, including those in the Patimokkha.
The council reaffirmed the strict adherence to the established rules of the Patimokkha, rejecting more lenient interpretations that some monks had adopted.
This reaffirmation helped maintain the purity and uniformity of monastic discipline, reinforcing the importance of the Patimokkha in guiding ethical and disciplined conduct.

Question 25

Why is the third council relevant to the patimokkha

Answer 25

The council involved a thorough examination of the monks’ conduct and beliefs, leading to the expulsion of those who did not adhere to the correct monastic discipline, including the rules of the Patimokkha.
By reaffirming the Vinaya, the council reinforced the importance of the Patimokkha in maintaining the ethical standards and integrity of the Sangha.
The actions taken during the council ensured that the monastic community adhered strictly to the Patimokkha, thus preserving the original teachings and practices as laid down by the Buddha.

Question 26

Overall why are the councils relevant to the patimokka

Answer 26

In conclusion, the three Buddhist councils are highly relevant to the Patimokkha because they played crucial roles in preserving, clarifying, and reaffirming the monastic discipline that is central to the practice and integrity of the Buddhist monastic community.

Question 27

How is the patimokka a source of wisdom

Answer 27

Ethical guidance: it provides ethical guidelines for ethical behaviour which is fundimental for their spirtitual development

Mindfulness and self discipline: the observance of the patimokkha rules require constant mindfulness and self disciple - by adhering to these rules monastics develop a heightened awareness of their thoughts words and actions which is essential for progressing on the path to enlightenment

Practical wisdom: it helps with practical wisdom for daily thing

Spiritual purification: it allows monks and nuns to work to eliminate ehtings such as greed, hatred, and delusion

Question 28

What are the four parajikas

Answer 28

Refer from ny kind of sexual intercource
Refer from any forms of theft
Refer from intentionally causing death of a human being
Refer from making false claims regarding spiritual development - be honest and truthful

Question 29

Why are the four parajikas important

Answer 29

They are rules that can never be changed or misinterpreted
They are the most serious offences in a monastic setting and require expoulsion ( leaving the community)
They are known as defeats
They are so crucial to monastic living that they are taught to any new adherent as soon as entry into the monastery

Question 30

What does the the first parajika say

Answer 30

“ should any bikkhu - participating in the training and live hood of the bikkhu a without having renounced the training, without having declared his weakness - engage in sexual intercourse even with a female nick, he is defeated and no longer in affiliation”

Question 31

What does the second parajikku mean

Answer 31

‘Should any Bhikkhu - participating in the training and livelihood of the Bhikkhus, without having renounced the training, without having declared his weakness - engage in sexual intercourse, even with a female animal, he is defeated and no longer in affiliation.’ (translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu)

Question 32

Why does the third parajukka say

Answer 32

‘Should any Bhikkhu intentionally deprive a human being of life, or search for an assassin for him, or praise the advantages of death, or incite him to die (saying,): “My good man, what use is this evil, miserable life to you?
Death would be better for you than life,” or with such an idea in mind, such a purpose in mind, should in various ways praise the advantages of death or incite him to die, he also is defeated and no longer in affiliation.

Question 33

What does the third parajika say

Answer 33

‘Should any Bhikkhu, without direct knowledge, claim a superior human state, a truly noble knowledge and vision, as present in himself, saying, “Thus do I know; thus do I see,” such that regardless of whether or not he is cross-examined on a later occasion, he - being remorseful and desirous of purification - might say, “Friends, not knowing, I said I know; not seeing, 1 said I see - vainly, falsely, idly,” unless it was from over-estimation, he also is defeated and no longer in affiliation.

Question 34

What does the four prajikas tighter remind us of

Answer 34

It reminds Buddhist monk and nuns that underlying the statements is a recognition of the drives of the ego and of attachment. Such behaviour clearly demonstrates that one is not in control of ones mind and body.

Question 35

What the the four additional parajikas

Answer 35

There are four extra parajikas for nuns alone
The extra involve
- sensual or sexual rubbing, groping and fondling
- consenting to a mans lstful approach
- withholding knowledge of someone who has been defeat
Three chances to reform after being suspected

Question 36

What are the four additional parajikas

Answer 36

addition to the four parajikas for all monks and nuns, there are four more parajikas in Theravada Buddhism for nuns alone. This is not exclusive to the parajikas since altogether there are 311 rules in the Bhikkhuni Patimokkha, of which 181 are shared with the Bhikkhu Patimokkha.

Sensual or sexual rubbing, groping and fondling
Withholding knowledge of another persons defeat
Three chances to reform
Consulting to a mans lustfi; approach