Grammatical Analysis
Pātimokkha: [nt.] The code of monastic discipline; the binding rule. Etymology is debated in commentaries: either from pāti (protects) + mokkha (liberation), meaning “that which protects one and leads to liberation,” or from paṭimukha (binding, obligatory).
Orthodox Definition
The Pātimokkha is the fundamental, exhaustive code of monastic rules established by the Buddha. The Theravāda transmission contains 227 rules for Bhikkhus and 311 rules for Bhikkhunīs.
The code is strictly categorized by the severity of the offense, ranging from Pārājika (rules causing permanent expulsion) down to Sekhiya (rules of etiquette).
The Pātimokkha acts as the legal and spiritual spine of the Saṅgha. It must be recited in its entirety every fortnight on the Observance Day (Uposatha) by a convened assembly of at least four fully ordained monks. Before the recitation begins, every monk present must be completely pure, meaning they must have already confessed any offenses committed during the previous fortnight.
Textual References
- Vinaya: Suttavibhaṅga – The entire first half of the Vinaya Piṭaka is dedicated to the detailed origin stories, word-by-word definitions, and casuistry of every single Pātimokkha rule.
- Commentary: Kaṅkhāvitaraṇī – Buddhaghosa’s specialized commentary explicitly dedicated to clarifying the Pātimokkha rules.