The Vinaya

The Vinaya is the body of discipline that guides Buddhist monks and nuns. The word vinaya means “leading away” or “training”: leading away from unskilful behaviour. The Buddha is said to have called his teaching “Dhamma-Vinaya”, the teaching and the discipline together.

What it contains

In the Pali Canon the Vinaya forms the first of the three baskets. It has three main parts.

• Suttavibhaṅga. The rules of the Pāṭimokkha, the core code, with the story of how each rule was laid down and how it applies. The Pali tradition lists 227 rules for monks (bhikkhus) and 311 for nuns (bhikkhunīs).
• Khandhaka. Procedures for community life: ordination, the fortnightly recitation of the rules, the rains residence, robes, food, medicine, and the settling of disputes.
• Parivāra. A later summary and study guide.

How the rules came about

The Buddha did not begin with a rulebook. According to the texts, rules were introduced one by one as problems arose. A monk would do something that caused harm or public criticism, the matter was brought to the Buddha, and he set down a rule. This case-by-case approach means the Vinaya also preserves many vivid stories of early monastic life.

The rules range from the gravest offences, such as sexual intercourse, stealing, killing a human being and falsely claiming spiritual attainments, which end a person's life as a monastic, to many minor matters of etiquette, dress and conduct.

Different Vinaya traditions

Several complete Vinayas survive. The Theravada uses the Pali Vinaya. East Asian Buddhism generally follows the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya, and Tibetan Buddhism the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya. They differ in details and in the number of rules, but share the same broad structure.

Why it matters for lay people

The Vinaya shapes how lay Buddhists relate to monastics. Monks and nuns in many traditions do not handle money, eat only at set times and rely on the generosity of others. Lay supporters offer food, robes and other requisites, and this exchange of gifts and teaching is the heart of the relationship. Knowing a little of the Vinaya helps visitors to a monastery act with courtesy and understanding.