Overview
The Pārājikā (Defeats) are the four most severe rules in the monastic code (Pāṭimokkha). If a fully ordained bhikkhu breaks even one of these rules, he is instantly “defeated,” loses his status as a monk, and is permanently expelled from the Saṅgha for the rest of his life.
The List
- Methunadhamma - Sexual Intercourse: Engaging in any form of sexual intercourse, even with an animal. A monk must maintain absolute celibacy.
- Adinnādāna - Taking what is not given: Stealing anything of significant value (historically defined as 5 māsakas or more) with a thieving mind.
- Manussaviggaha - Killing a human being: Intentionally depriving a human being of life, searching for an assassin for them, or intentionally praising death and encouraging them to commit suicide.
- Uttarimanussadhamma - Falsely claiming superior states: Telling a deliberate lie that one has attained jhānas, psychic powers, or supramundane paths and fruits (Arahatship), knowing one has not attained them.
Textual References
- Canonical: Suttavibhaṅga (Vinaya Piṭaka) – The very first section of the Vinaya details the origin stories and exact legal definitions for each of these four defeats.