Sutta-vibhaṅga

The Sutta-vibha\u1e45ga is a part of the Vinaya Pi\u1e6daka, which is the oldest and smallest section of the Buddhist canonical Tipi\u1e6daka. This "Basket of Discipline" regulates monastic life and the daily conduct of monks and nuns according to rules attributed to the Buddha.1

The Sutta-vibha\u1e45ga specifically details the monastic rules, known as the p\u0101timokkha, and the disciplinary actions for each offense. These rules are organized by severity, ranging from transgressions requiring expulsion from the order to those needing only confession. Each rule is accompanied by the story of the incident that prompted the Buddha's ruling, an early commentary on the rules, and sometimes a later discussion of exceptions. This text is distinct from the Sutta Pitaka, which contains discourses and doctrinal teachings.12