Conceptualizing Monastic Discipline and Transgression (Apatti) in the Context of Social Transformation

Abstract

This article aims to examine the concepts of Vinaya (monastic discipline) and Apatti (transgression) in Buddhism, including the process by which monks express and acknowledge their transgressions. It also explores how disciplinary practices are expressed and managed in the context of a rapidly changing society, particularly within the digital era, where information spreads quickly and the public plays an increasingly active role in monitoring monastic behavior. The study employs document analysis alongside penal theory to link the principles of Vinaya with modern concepts of punishment and rehabilitation. The findings reveal that Apatti in the Vinaya plays a crucial role in regulating the behavior of Buddhist monks, emphasizing the cultivation of a “conscience of monastic discipline” rather than physical punishment. The process of resolving Apatti is not merely about erasing guilt, but rather a transformative journey toward spiritual restoration and the reaffirmation of one’s monastic status within the Dhamma-Vinaya framework. In contemporary society, monks are increasingly pressured by media exposure and digital interactions, which shape public perceptions of monastic misconduct and its consequences. Academic recommendations include the development of accessible and comprehensible digital resources to disseminate knowledge about the Vinaya, the promotion of preventive education in monastic institutions, especially at the foundational level, and the establishment of effective processes for the spiritual rehabilitation of monks who have transgressed. These efforts aim to preserve public faith in the monastic community and maintain social order within the Sangha amidst the digital transformation of society.