A Study of the Explanation of Pāṭimokkhasutta in Mahāvibhaṅga, Samantapāsadikā, and Kaṅkhāvitaraṇī

Abstract

This is a comparative study of the explanation of 150 monastic rules (Pāṭimokkha) called Padabhājanīya in Mahāvibhaṅga, Samantapāsadikā and Kaṅkhāvitaraṇī. The researcher focuses in particular on the methods of explaining words or phrases in monastic rules for male and/or female monks in Mahāvibhaṅga. The study finds that the explanations in the three scriptures have similar forms: they are sequential explanations of phrases without focusing on each and every work. In Padabhājanīya, ‘Nāma’ and ‘Iti’ are used following explanations of words or pharses, with ‘Nāma’ being more frequently used. Synonyms and similes are also used in elaborations. In Samantapāsadikā, ‘Nāma’ and ‘Iti’ are also used following explanations of words or pharses, but with ‘Iti’ being more frequently used than ‘Nāma’. Only synonyms are employed in explanations here. In Kaṅkhāvitaraṇī, ‘Ādi’ is used in synopses and in references to relevant scriptures for further studies.