Abstract  

             The thesis entitled ‘The Comparative analysis of Bhikkhu and Bhikkhunã Offences in Theravada Buddhism: A Case Study of Saïghàdisesa consists of 3 objectives as 1) to study the formal meeting of the Order – Saïghàdisesa for the Theravada Buddhist monk, 2) to explore the formal meeting of the Order – Saïghàdisesa for the Theravada Buddhist female monk and 3) to make a comparative analysis of the formal meeting of the Order – Saïghàdisesa for the Theravada Buddhist monk and female Buddhist monk.

The results revealed that, in Theravada Buddhist disciplinary, the formal meeting of the Order –Saïghàdisesa is considered as the Major Offences or Garukapatti. However, the Saïghàdisesa is a kind of monastic offences which can becorrected through some kinds of punishment or Satekicchà. The rehabilitation can be a complex process involving several steps. In the case when the Saïghàdisesaàpatti has been concealed the state in the process of rehabilitation is Parivàsa, a period probation during which the offending Bhikkhu is stripped of his usual privileges in the Saïgha and is made to compensate for his offence in ways which segregate him from the regular Bhikkhu. If a Bhikkhu commits the same offence during his Parivàsa, the Saïgha meet again and send him back to the beginning (Målàyapañikassana). When the Parivàsa has been completed, the Saïgha meet again to assign Mànatta. After the Mànatta is completed, the abbhàna will performed by the Saïgha. There are 13 Saïghàdisesa, the rehabilitation must be performed by the two Saïgha Orders.

There are seventeen Saïghàdisesa for Bhikkhunã, if a Bhikkhunã commits Saïghàdisesa, the Bhikkhu Saïgha and Bhikkhunã Saïgha will meet and assign her to perform the Mànatta or penance for fifteen nights.

    When comparing the Saïghàdisesa, the Bhikkhu has been committed the Saïghàdisesa, he will be assigned to perform the Parivàsa for three nights and  Mànatta for six nights and the  Abbhàna will performed by the Saïgha. In case of the Bhikkhunã, the Manatta will be made for fifteen nights without asking for the Parivàsa as the Bhikkhu. However, the offending Bhikkhunã is to be recognized by the two Saïgha Orders. In case of the offending Bhikkhu, it can be performed alone by Saïgha Order.  The objective of penalty is to reduce the conceit and for the sake of the purification of morality. According to the Buddha’s purposes of monastic legislation, even though there are many different codes of trainings, but its aims are to achieve the excellence of the unanimous Order.  

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