Pratimoksha vows

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Term	Definition
Pratimoksha vows	(skt.: pratimoksha; tib.: so tar kyi dom pa) Individual freedom vows. The main subject of Vinaya, division of the Buddhist scriptures concerned with monastic discipline - the rules for the behavior of monks and nuns and the conduct of their communal business. Pratimoksha vows are divided in different types: 1. one day vows (tib.: nyen.ne) - eight vows which one takes for the period of 24 hours, also known as eight precepts 2. layman or laywoman vows (tib.: ge.nyen.pa or ge.nyen.ma) - five vows. 3. pre-noviciats vows (tib.: rab.jung) - 8 vows 4. novice monk or nuns vows (tib.: ge.tsul.pa or ge.tsul.ma) - 36 vows 5. fully ordained nuns vows (tib.: ge long ma) - consits of 364 vows 6. fully ordained monks vows (tib.: ge long pa) - consits of 253 vows In a commentary on Je Tsongkhapas text Essence of Ocean of Vinaya, Master Ngulchu Dharma Bhadra explains why these vows are named pratimoksha vows: ... is so named because those individuals who take them and keep them properly will escape the cycle of suffering, whereas those who do not, will not.

Term

Definition

(skt.: pratimoksha; tib.: so tar kyi dom pa) Individual freedom vows. The main subject of Vinaya, division of the Buddhist scriptures concerned with monastic discipline - the rules for the behavior of monks and nuns and the conduct of their communal business.

Pratimoksha vows are divided in different types:

1. one day vows (tib.: nyen.ne) - eight vows which one takes for the period of 24 hours, also known as eight precepts

2. layman or laywoman vows (tib.: ge.nyen.pa or ge.nyen.ma) - five vows.

3. pre-noviciats vows (tib.: rab.jung) - 8 vows

4. novice monk or nuns vows (tib.: ge.tsul.pa or ge.tsul.ma) - 36 vows

5. fully ordained nuns vows (tib.: ge long ma) - consits of 364 vows

6. fully ordained monks vows (tib.: ge long pa) - consits of 253 vows

In a commentary on Je Tsongkhapas text Essence of Ocean of Vinaya, Master Ngulchu Dharma Bhadra explains why these vows are named pratimoksha vows: ... is so named because those individuals who take them and keep them properly will escape the cycle of suffering, whereas those who do not, will not.

Language

Words of Wisdom

"I am never far from those with faith, or even from those without it, though they do not see me. My children will always, always, be protected by my compassion."

- Padmasambhava