The Pratimoksa-Sutra
By Anukul Chandra Banerjee
Summary
Analysing the Pratimoksa-Sutra, the monastic code central to Buddhist communal life, the article compares different recensions and interprets their organisation. It outlines how the sutra groups offences—from serious transgressions warranting expulsion to minor disciplinary faults—and examines how regional traditions such as the Mulasarvastivada and Dharmaguptaka modify details to fit local conditions. The ritual of confession and communal recitation is discussed as a means of reinforcing unity and ethical standards. The author considers debates over the sutra’s historical origin and argues that it functions more as a concise moral checklist than an exhaustive legal code. The article traces the influence of the Pratimoksa on later Vinaya compilations across Asia, showing its enduring importance.
Conclusion
The comparative survey of Pratimoksa recensions demonstrates the adaptability of Buddhist monastic law and highlights the role of ritual recitation in maintaining ethical discipline. Recognising variations across traditions underscores the flexibility with which monastic communities applied universal principles to diverse contexts.