The Bhikkhuni Patimokkha of the Six Schools

Contents: Introduction. 1. Bhikkhuni Patimokkha : Theravada. 2. Bhikkhuni Patimokkha : Mahasanghika. 3. Bhikkhuni Patimokkha : Mahisasaka. 4. Bhikkhuni Patimokkha : Sarvastivada. 5. Bhikkhuni Patimokkha : Dharmagupta. 6. Bhikkhuni Patimokkha : Mula-Sarvastivada.

In Vinaya Pitaka, Patimokkha has been accepted as one of the oldest texts in the Buddhist canon. Patimokkha (Skt. Pratimoksa) is a list of rules or courses of training to be observed by the bhikkhus and bhikkunis. The study of Bhikkhuni Patimokkha which is a part of the Vinaya is necessary as it proves to be one of the ways to understand the historical growth of the Sangha (community).

"Each school has its own set of Patimokkha rules, the main body is that set of original rules which every school shares. As each school developed in various geographical setting, more rules are formulated in addition to the original rules handed down from the Buddha’s time." (jacket)