03 The Rule about Killing

Following the Buddha’s teachings on foulness, monks experience extreme disgust toward their bodies and begin taking their own lives, killing each other, or hiring Migalaṇḍika to execute them. After emerging from seclusion, the Buddha notices the diminished community and teaches mindfulness of breathing as a balanced meditation practice. He then rebukes the monks’ actions and establishes the third parājika rule prohibiting the intentional taking of human life.