Grammatical Analysis
Saṅghādisesa: [m.] An offense requiring the involvement of the Saṅgha in the beginning and the rest of the procedure. Formed by Saṅgha (the order) + ādi (beginning) + sesa (the rest).
Orthodox Definition
Saṅghādisesa is the second most severe class of monastic offenses, consisting of 13 rules for monks (and 17 for nuns). While a Pārājika results in permanent expulsion, a Saṅghādisesa offense is curable, but the rehabilitation process is extraordinarily rigorous and humiliating.
Offenses in this category include intentional emission of semen, lustful touching of a woman, building a hut without permission, acting as a matchmaker, or attempting to cause a schism in the Saṅgha.
If a monk commits this offense, mere confession is insufficient. He must undergo a formal disciplinary process:
- He is stripped of his seniority and placed on probation (parivāsa) for the exact number of days he concealed the offense.
- He then undergoes six days of discipline (mānatta).
- Finally, he must be formally rehabilitated (abbhāna) by a gathering of no less than twenty fully ordained monks.
Textual References
- Vinaya: Suttavibhaṅga (Saṅghādisesakaṇḍa) – Detailing the origin stories of these rules, heavily featuring the infamous group of six monks (chabbaggiyā).
- Commentary: Samantapāsādikā – The exact legal formulas required to impose probation and grant rehabilitation.