Prātimokṣa

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Prātimokṣa (Skt.; Pāli, pātimokkha). Part of the Buddhist Vinaya-pitaka, containing the rules for bhikṣus (monks) and for bhikṣunis (nuns). It is recited at every uposatha ceremony. Originally, public confession of fault against the code was made, but this became an individual confession prior to the ceremony, with a silent assent at its conclusion. Three codes survive: Theravādin (227 rules for bhikṣus, 311 for bhikṣunis), Mula-Sarvastivādin (258 and 366), and Dharmaguptaka (250 and 348).

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