Guidelines
‘And even as the great ocean is stable and does not overflow its banks, even so, bhikkhus, whatever training rule has been laid down by me for my disciples, they will not transgress it even for life’s sake.’
Ud 5.5
Ten Reasons for Establishing the Pāṭimokkha
- For the excellence of the Sangha;
- for the wellbeing of the Sangha;
- for the control of ill-controlled bhikkhus;
- for the comfort of well-behaved bhikkhus;
- for the restraint of the taints in this present state;
- for protection against the taints in a future state;
- to give confidence to those of little faith;
- to increase the confidence of the faithful;
- to establish the True Dhamma;
- to support the Vinaya.
Vin.III.20; A.V.70
Four Great Standards (Mahāpadesa)
Whatever things are not prohibited as unallowable but agree with things that are unallowable, being opposed to things that are allowable — such things are unsuitable.
Whatever things are not prohibited as unallowable but agree with things that are allowable, being opposed to things that are unallowable — such things are suitable.
Whatever things are not permitted as allowable but agree with things that are unallowable, being opposed to things that are allowable — such things are unsuitable.
Whatever things are not permitted as allowable but agree with things that are allowable, being opposed to things that are unallowable — such things are suitable.
Vin.I.250
Upholding the Principles
If there is some obstacle to [the practice of the training rules], due to time and place, the rules should be upheld indirectly and not given up entirely, for otherwise there will be no principles (for discipline). A community without principles for discipline cannot last long…
Entrance to the Vinaya, I.230