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F ORUM FORUM | EASTERN HORIZON 55

the Theravādins are the most conservative among the Shariputra once asked which of the former Buddhas’
existing Buddhist schools. No one dares to officially teachings lasted long in the world. The Buddha replied
change any rule, yet many tacitly don’t follow many that teachings of those who did not establish a monastic
rules which they personally consider to be no longer ethical code quickly disappeared, while those who gave
relevant, e.g. the prohibition from travelling in a vehicle many teachings and established monastic training rules
unless one is sick. lasted long.

Min Wei: The Vinaya rules, originating over 2500 years When performed sincerely, Vinaya rituals—the
ago, retain relevance in modern society’s evolving fortnightly confession and restoration [posadha], rains
landscape for monastics. Despite their historical retreat [varṣa], and inviting feedback [pravāraṇā]—
context, these guidelines offer enduring principles of are instrumental in maintaining a healthy monastic
ethical conduct, communal harmony, and personal community.
discipline. While some rules may seem antiquated, the
essence of the Vinaya resonates with contemporary How do we know if our interpretation of the Vinaya
challenges, providing a framework for navigating rules is aligned with what the Buddha taught?
ethical dilemmas and fostering spiritual growth. Its
adaptability allows monastics to apply its teachings to Aggacitta: As mentioned above this can be rather
current circumstances, maintaining integrity amidst subjective but here is a useful set of general principles
societal shifts. The Vinaya serves as a beacon of wisdom, that the Buddha gave to Gotamī Mahāpajāpatī when
offering timeless insights into human behavior and she requested him to teach her the Dhamma in brief
fostering a path of self-awareness and moral integrity (Saṃkhitta Sutta AN 8.53). He said that the real
for monastics in today’s world. Dhamma-Vinaya must lead to the following and not the
opposite:
Tsepal: The practice of ethical conduct and keeping
precepts guide our minds in creating virtue and 1. dispassion
abandoning non-virtue, highlighting how our actions 2. being unfettered to saṃsāric existence
affect others. This is just as relevant for monastics 3. destruction of saṃsāric existence
and lay practitioners today as it was 2500 years ago. 4. less desires
Throughout the modern world, studying the Vinaya and 5. contentment
the origin stories help monastics understand the intent 6. solitude
of each precept and bring awareness to afflicted actions 7. arousing of energy
and the motivating mental states we’re trying to subdue. 8. being easy to support.

The Buddha mentioned ten benefits every time he Vinaya experts should make use of the four-fold Vinaya
established a monastic precept. Summarized here, recommended by the commentary as a hierarchy of
precepts still serve these relevant purposes: authority to assess any interpretation of the rules:

• They promote harmony in the sangha. 1. Sutta—what is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāḷi
• They serve as the foundation for developing canon
concentration, wisdom, and liberation. 2. Suttānuloma—what is a corollary to the above
• They support the sangha in being role models and 3. Ācariyavāda—the teachers’ words (interpretations
the conscience for society. of the 500 elders who convened at the first ‘Saṅgha
• They preserve and spread the Dharma for future Council’)
generations. 4. Attanomati—personal opinion of anyone other than
#3.