Grammatical Analysis
Pārājika: [adj./nt.] Defeat; involving defeat. Derived from parājaya (defeat, being overcome). Meaning one who has been defeated by defilements and lost the monastic life.
Orthodox Definition
Pārājika represents the most severe class of offenses in the monastic code. A monastic who commits a Pārājika offense is instantly stripped of their ordination status. They are “defeated,” likened to a person whose head has been cut off—they cannot be brought back to life as a monastic in this lifetime, regardless of their remorse. They must immediately disrobe and are permanently expelled from the Saṅgha.
There are four Pārājika rules for Bhikkhus:
- Engaging in sexual intercourse.
- Stealing something of significant value.
- Intentionally killing a human being, or inciting one to suicide.
- Falsely claiming supramundane states (like Jhāna or Arahatship) to others.
(Bhikkhunīs have these four plus an additional four relating to physical contact and concealment).
Textual References
- Vinaya: Suttavibhaṅga (Pārājikakaṇḍa) – The massive opening volume of the Vinaya detailing every possible variation, loophole, and exception (such as insanity or lack of intent) regarding these four rules.
- Commentary: Samantapāsādikā – Exhaustive casuistry to determine exactly what constitutes theft, murder, or sexual intercourse down to the most microscopic physical details.