Four offenses in the Vinaya Pitaka carry zero tolerance: sexual relations, theft, intentional killing or violence, and falsely claiming supernormal powers. Crossing any of these lines triggers lifelong expulsion from the monastic order. Gone is the saffron robe, stripped away without appeal—no second chances, no do-overs.

How it plays out in practice:

• Immediate disrobing. The moment a Pārājika is admitted, monastic status dissolves. Former bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs become laypersons on the spot.
• Public acknowledgment. A formal confession isn’t whispered behind closed doors. It happens in a Sangha assembly—clear as day, ensuring transparency and protecting the community’s moral backbone.
• Permanent exclusion. Re-ordination under the same code is off the table for good. Once expelled for a Pārājika, re-entry into that Sangha lineage simply isn’t an option.

Just below those four lie the Sanghadisesa rules—thirteen categories like sexual impropriety of a lesser sort, false lay invitations, or injuring fellow monastics. Offenders must face a Sangha tribunal, undergo probation, and report regularly. Only after rigorous penance and community votes can restoration be on the cards.

A modern example underlines how alive these ancient statutes remain. In 2024, a high-profile monk in Sri Lanka faced Sangha review for alleged sexual misconduct. The resulting expulsion echoed the same procedures outlined over two millennia ago—no rituals lost to time.

These regulations do more than enforce punishment. They erect a clear boundary fence around ethical conduct, reminding Buddhist communities that moral integrity sits at the heart of monastic life. When guidelines are breached, consequences are both swift and public, preserving trust among practitioners and lay supporters alike. In today’s world, where accountability is trending nonstop across social media and headlines, the Vinaya’s uncompromising stance feels surprisingly familiar—proof that some rules really do stand the test of time.