Grammatical Analysis
Sīla: [nt.] virtue; morality; ethical conduct; discipline. Derived either from root sīl (to hold, coordinate, stabilize) or from sītala (coolness), because pure moral conduct cools down the burning fires of bodily and verbal defilements.
Orthodox Definition
Sīla represents the foundational baseline of the entire Theravāda Buddhist path. It consists of the deliberate volitional restraint (cetana) that prevents unwholesome states from manifesting as harmful bodily actions or verbal speech. Doctrinally, it encompasses the mental factors of abstinence (virati-cetasika): Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood.
The Visuddhimagga notes that the characteristic of sīla is the establishing of order, coordination, and harmony (sīlana-lakkhaṇa), which provides a foundation free of remorse, allowing concentration (samādhi) to develop.
For different segments of the community, sīla is structured into distinct tiers of training rules:
- For lay devotees: The permanent observation of the Pañcasīla (Five Precepts) and the periodic training of the Aṭṭhaṅgasīla (Eight Precepts) on Uposatha days.
- For novices (sāmaṇera): The Dasasīla (Ten Precepts).
- For fully ordained monks (bhikkhu): The exhaustive Catu-pārisuddhi-sīla (Fourfold Purification Virtue), which includes Patimokkha restraint, sense faculty restraint, livelihood purification, and the proper reflection on monastical requisites.
Textual References
- Sutta: Sāmaññaphala Sutta (DN 2) – Section detailing the gradual training in moral discipline.
- Vinaya: Bhikkhupātimokkham – Code of disciplinary restraint.
- Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Part I, Chapters I and II) – Detailed mapping of the varieties, benefits, and purification of moral virtue.