A Lay Buddhist's Guide to the Monks' Rules

Lay Buddhist's Guide to the Monk's Rules (buddhanet.net); Dhr. Seven (ed.), Wisdom Quarterly

We're going to have some rules.

This compilation is for anyone interested about Buddhist monks (bhikkhus) and about how to relate to them.

Some may think that the Theravada lineage follows an overly traditionalist approach, but it does happen to be the oldest living tradition.

Let this serve as a slight caution to anyone completely new to the ways of monasticism, which may appear quite radical for the modern age.

The best introduction, perhaps essential for a true understanding, is meeting with a practicing monk who should manifest and reflect the peaceful and joyous qualities of the monastic way of life.

The Vinaya Pitaka (pariyatti.org)

The Monastic Discipline (Vinaya) of a Buddhist monk or nun is refined and is intended to be conducive to the arising and stability of mindfulness and wisdom.

This monastic code of conduct is called the Vinaya. While it is not an end in itself, it is an excellent tool that can be instrumental in leading to the end of suffering -- as the Patimokkha (or "path to moksha," which is the core 227 rules) suggests.

Apart from the direct training that the discipline provides, it also establishes a relationship with lay people without whose cooperation it would be impossible to live as a monastic.

A monk is able to live as a mendicant because lay people respect the monastic conventions and are prepared to help to support him. This gives rise to a relationship of respect and gratitude in which both laypeople and monks are called upon to practice their particular lifestyles and responsibilities with sensitivity and sincerity.

• SuttaCentral.net—The Basket of Discipline (Vinaya)
• Quitting the Dhamma: The Ways of Forsaking the Order According to the Early Vinaya (dickinson.edu)
• Disrobing | The Buddhist Monastic Code, Volumes I & II (dhammatalks.org)
• The Buddhist Monk's Discipline: Some Points Explained for Laypeople (accesstoinsight.org)

Hey, what about female monastics (nuns)?

Many of the rules of discipline were developed specifically to avoid offending laypeople or giving rise to misunderstanding or suspicion. For example, there is a rule stipulating that another male be present when a monk and a female would otherwise be alone together were it not for his presence.

As no monk wishes to offend by being fussy and difficult to look after, and no lay Buddhist would wish to accidentally cause a monk to compromise the discipline, this text is therefore intended to be a useful guide to the major aspects of the Vinaya as it relates to laypeople. More