• ལྟུང་བ་བཞི།
  • ltung ba bzhi
  • catvāra prapāta
  • Term
Publications: 1
  • four root downfalls
  • ལྟུང་བ་བཞི།
  • ltung ba bzhi
  • catvāra prapāta
Definition in this text:

The four root downfalls are roughly synonymous with the pham pa bzhi (catvāra pārājika), or the four transgressions that require expulsion from the monastic community. These four transgressions are applicable to the maintenance of monastic and lay vows alike, though their interpretations might differ depending on context. The four transgressions are: (1) violating the vow of chastity (mi tshangs pa spyod pa, abrahmacarya); (2) stealing/taking what is not given (mi byin par len pa, adattadāna); (3) taking a life (srog gcod pa, prāṇātipāta); and (4) lying (rdzun du smra ba, mṛṣāvāda).