Abstract:
The Parajikadhamma, or sins involving expulsion from the Samaṇa-ship, are the
most heinous offences depicted in the Vinaya. These offences have not only been
placed out at the top of the list of 227 Vinaya rules recommended for the bhikkhus,
but also at the top of the list of 311 Vinaya rules of the bhikkhunis. These offences
are known as parajika-s (lit. “Defeats”), “that which involve expulsion.” There are
four in number, i.e., fornication, theft, depriving a human being of life, and, falsely
laying claim to the possession of Arahant-ship or any of the other supernatural gifts.
This research is mainly focused on the first of the four parajika apatti-s of the
bhikkhu-s depicted in the Parajikapaḷi of the Vinaya-piṭaka. The research is on 6
individuals engaged in different conditions at different stages, who have not
committed offences. They are not called parajiko, i.e. they do not involve expulsion.
They are: if one is ignorant, if one has not agreed, if one is mad, if one is unhinged,
if one is afflicted with pain, and if one is a beginner. This substitute imposed by the
Buddha is explained in the Vinayaṭṭhakatha (Samantapasadika) in detail. The
methodology of the research follows a qualitative approach, and it primarily depends
on the Vinaya-piṭaka and its commentarial descriptions. The results of the research
show the Buddha’s enlightened vision on the offence (apatti in Pali) and justice, and
also his noble quest towards the “defendant”- the person or entity that is being sued,
and “plaintiff”- the person or entity filing the lawsuit. It is recorded in the VIN. I:
36-37 that Venerable Sudinna who held no offence as the first-doer (adikatta
pubbaṅgamo) of many wrong things was rebuked by the Buddha via seven advises,
i.e., you will enter upon what is not verily dhamma, upon village dhamma, upon low
dhamma, upon wickedness, upon final ablution, upon secrecy, and upon having
obtained in couples. On account of this, for the first time, the Buddha set forth the
rules on Parajika apatti for monks based on ten reasons. The commentarial
definition on non-offenders related to Parajika apatti elaborates the utmost words
of the Buddha on legitimacy.
