   
   
   
   
                                PREFACE
                                           
                                           
   This book is an attempt to give an organized, detailed account of 
   the Patimokkha training rules and the tradi-tions that have grown up 
   around them.  It is aimed primarily at those whose lives are 
   affected by the rules -- bhikkhus who live by them, and other people 
   who have dealings with the bhikkhus -- so that they will be able to 
   find gathered in one volume as much essential information as 
   possible on just what the rules do and do not entail.  Students of 
   Early Buddhism, Theravadin history, or contemporary Theravadin 
   issues should also find this book interesting, as should anyone who 
   is serious about the practice of the Dhamma and wants to see how the 
   Buddha worked out the ramifications of Dhamma practice in daily 
   life.
   
     The amount of information offered here is both the book's strength 
   and its weakness.  On the one hand, it encompasses material that in 
   some cases is otherwise unavailable in Eng-lish or even in romanized 
   Pali, and should be sufficient to serve as a life-long companion to 
   any bhikkhu who seriously wants to benefit from the precise and 
   thorough training the rules have to offer.  On the other hand, the 
   sheer size of the book and the mass of details to be remembered 
   might prove daunting or discouraging to anyone just embarking on the 
   bhikkhu's life.
     
     To overcome this drawback, I have tried to organize the material 
   in as clear-cut a manner as possible.  In particular, by analyzing 
   each rule into its component factors, I have tried to show not only 
   the rule's precise range but also how it connects to the general 
   pattern of mindfully analyzing one's own actions in terms of such 
   factors as intention, perception, object, effort, and result -- a 
   system that plays an important role in the training of the mind.
     
     Secondly, I have provided short summaries for the rules and have 
   gathered them, organized by topic, in the Rule Index at the back of 
   the book.  If you are new to the subject of Buddhist monastic 
   discipline, I suggest that you read the Rule Index first, to grasp 
   the gist of the rules and their rela-tionship to the Buddhist path, 
   before going on to the more detailed discussions in the body of the 
   book.  This should help you keep the general purpose of the rules in 
   mind, and keep you from getting lost in the mass of details.
     
     I am indebted to the many people who helped directly and 
   indirectly in the writing of this book.  Phra Ajaan Fuang Jotiko 
   (Phra Khru Nanavisitth) and Phra Ajaan Thawng Candasiri (Phra 
   Nanavisitth), my first teachers in Vinaya, gave me a thorough 
   grounding in the subject.  Ven. Brahmavamso Bhikkhu gave many hours 
   of his time to writing detailed criticisms of early versions of the 
   manuscript during the long period of research that led up to the 
   book, forcing me to deepen my knowledge and sharpen my presentation 
   of the topic. There was a brief period when he and I thought of 
   co-authoring the book, but the many questions that needed to be 
   settled concerning form and content eventually required that one 
   person go it alone, and it fell my lot to be that person. Still, 
   much of the precision of the book is a result of his efforts, even 
   in cases where I had to differ with his opinions.
     
     As the manuscript began to approach its final form, Ven. Phra 
   Nanavarodom, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Thiradhammo Bhikkhu, Amaro Bhikkhu, 
   Suviro Bhikkhu, Bill Weir, and Doris Weir all read copies of it and 
   offered valuable suggestions for improvement. I, of course, remain 
   responsible for any errors it may still contain.
     
     I dedicate this book in gratitude and respect to my preceptor, 
   Phra Debmoli (Samrong Gunavuddho) of Wat Asokaram, Samut Prakaan, 
   Thailand, and to all my teachers in the path of the Dhamma-Vinaya.
                                                         
                                               Thanissaro Bhikkhu
                                               (Geoffrey DeGraff)
   
   Metta Forest Monastery
   Valley Center, CA 92082-1409 U.S.A.
   May, 1994
   
   
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