Patimokkha: Encyclopedia - Patimokkha

Patimokkha

In Buddhism, the Patimokkha is the basic code of monastic discipline, consisting of 227 rules for monks (bhikkhus) and 311 for nuns (bhikkhunis). It is contained in the Suttavibhanga, a division of the Vinaya Pitaka.

The rules are arranged into sections:

• Parajika - Rules entailing expulsion from the Sangha (defeat)
• Sanghadisesa - Rules entailing an initial and subsequent meeting of the Sangha (communal meetings)
• Aniyata - Indefinite rules
• Nissaggiya Pacittiya - Rules entailing forfeiture and confession
• Pacittiya - Rules entailing confession
• Patidesaniya - Rules entailing acknowledgement
• Sekhiya - Rules of training
• Adhikarana Samatha - Rules for settling disputes

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Patimokkha", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki