The Patimokkha Rules

From Wikivinaya

The word Patimokkha (Pali) is defined in the PTS Pali dictionary as 'that which should be made binding'. It refers to a collection of rules defining the proper conduct for fully ordained members of the Buddhist monastic orders.

There are two patimokkhas: the bhikkhupatimokkha for monks and the bhikkhunipatimokkha for nuns. The patimokkha for monks consists of 227 rules, and the patimokkha for nuns has 311 rules. The rules of both patimokkhas are devided into eight categories: parajika, sanghadisesa, aniyata, nissaggiya pacittiya, pacittiya, patidesaniya, sekhiya and adhikarana samatha. These categories determine the seriousness of the rule, and what should be done after breaking the rule. The adhikarana samatha are a bit different, in that they are not really rules, but ways in which conflicts within the Sangha (monastic community) can be resolved.