Buddhist Monastic Discipline: A Study of Its Origin and Development in Relation to the Sutta and Vinaya Piṭakas

The book begins by situating Buddhist monasticism within the broader tradition of religious mendicancy in ancient India. It distinguishes Buddhist renunciation from earlier Brahmanical and ascetic institutions and challenges theories that explain Buddhist monasticism as a simple continuation of Vedic or Brahmanical models. Drawing extensively on the Sutta and Vinaya Piṭakas, the author argues that solitary forest life and organized communal residence existed side by side from the earliest period of Buddhism, while both were directed toward detachment, spiritual discipline, meditation, and the attainment of arahantship. The central discussion traces how general ethical ideals such as sīla, sikkhā, and brahmacariya were progressively developed into specific sikkhāpadas and an organized legal system for the Saṅgha. It examines the Pātimokkha recital, judicial procedures, punishments, communal authority, teacher–disciple relationships, and the regulation of both monks and nuns. The work ultimately presents Vinaya as an indispensable component of Buddhist training whose meaningful practice must remain consistent with the spirit of both Dhamma and discipline.