<p>It's in <a href="https://5000y.men/?devoroha%E1%B9%87avatthu(rm.r.83.577.0.19)#hl" rel="nofollow noreferrer">KN.Dh. commentary Devorohanavatthu</a> (No translation but you can see <a href="https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yamaka-patihariya" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this link</a>). It's <strong>only  just for allowing the Budhha doing the Supernatural Power to laymen</strong> before teaching them to enlighten.</p>
<p>Normally, the Buddha is in rule like his monks according to <a href="https://84000.org/tipitaka/english/metta.lk/09i001-e.php" rel="nofollow noreferrer">DN1</a>, <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.02.0.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">DN2</a>, etc., which is memorized by his long term follower, ven. Ananda. Ven. Ananda must say the other note in the commentary like in Devorohanavatthu if the Buddha play out off the rule. But is there is nothing like that. The only one is allowing the Buddha to <strong>the Supernatural Power</strong> to the public, which can help people to enlighten follow the Buddha teaching in some situation.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-05T08:23:32.097Z
The buddha has said there is no rule laid down for the Buddha himself, in the Apadāna commentary.
Blake
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-06T21:55:31.480Z
@Blake It's like when you said "I have no rule of eating everyday" while you are eating everyday automatically. It's because the Buddha can live follow the rule naturally.
Bonn
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-09-05T00:45:12.927Z
2022-09-05T00:45:12.927Z
Bonn
<p>It might have been a misreading. It's right that Arahats have no more requirement to go after the training itself, yet they are of course &quot;bound&quot; to the rules. Nevertheless the Sublime urged them also to dwell &quot;heedful&quot; (within the eightfold path) as else would be burdensome for them.</p>
<p>There are also plenty teachings that Arahats do not abandon virtues, even if no more obligations at all.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-05T08:24:38.367Z
The buddha has said there is no rule laid down for the Buddha himself, in the Apadāna commentary, but not just because he is free from defilements.
Blake
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-05T10:10:33.263Z
Sure. It was lesser objected toward the question then the underlying intention for gaining reasoning of thinking wrong. And what does he thinks was the motivation of commenting? He wouldn't see through the net...
user24200
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-05T02:48:29.960Z
2022-10-05T05:34:59.457Z
2022-10-05T05:34:59.457Z
user24200
<blockquote>
<p>In which sutta does the Buddha state that he does not have to follow all the monastic rules</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I found it in Khuddakanikāya » Apadāna-aṭṭhakathā » Buddhavagga » Buddhaapadānavaṇṇanā.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>and austerities</p>
</blockquote>
<p>No mention about austerities.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>because he is already liberated and free, as an arahant?</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>It is not because he has liberated, but because he is the Budhha.</strong> Therein the Buddha states that the Buddha is the commander of Bhikkhus and rules are only for the disciples.</p>
<p><em>Having known the Buddha has prohibited monks from showing supernatural powers, the Titthiyas spread the news that they are ready o show supernatural powers. Then the king Bimbisara took this message to the Buddha. Then the Buddha replied &quot;I too, great king, will show the supernatural powers&quot;.</em></p>
<p><em>Then the king asked back &quot;Hasn't a rule laid down by he Buddha prohibiting it?&quot;. Then the Buddha questioned him &quot;When you lay down fines for the people who eat mangoes from your park, do you lay down fines for yourself too? The king replied &quot;No bhante&quot;. &quot;Likewise, great king, there is no rules laid down for me&quot;, the Buddha replied.</em></p>
<p>Since there is no any English translation available with me, I would quote the Pali passage.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Apadāna-aṭṭhakathā » Buddhaapadānavaṇṇanā</p>
<p>Tato titthiyā “Samaṇena kira gotamena sāvakānaṃ sikkhāpadaṃ paññattaṃ,
te jīvitahetupi taṃ nātikkamanti, mayaṃ iddhipāṭihāriyaṃ karissāmā”ti
tattha tattha rāsibhūtā kolāhalamakaṃsu. Atha rājā bimbisāro taṃ sutvā
bhagavato santikaṃ gantvā vanditvā ekamantaṃ nisinno
bhagavantamevamāha – “Titthiyā, bhante, ‘Iddhipāṭihāriyaṃ
karissāmā’ti ugghosentī”ti. “Ahampi, mahārāja, karissāmī”ti. “Nanu,
bhante, bhagavatā sāvakānaṃ sikkhāpadaṃ paññatta”nti. “tameva,
mahārāja, pucchissāmi, tavuyyāne ambaphalādīni khādantānaṃ ‘Ettako
daṇḍo’ti daṇḍaṃ ṭhapento tavāpi ekato katvā ṭhapesī”ti. “Na mayhaṃ,
bhante, daṇḍo”ti. “Evaṃ, mahārāja, na mayhaṃ sikkhāpadaṃ paññattaṃ
atthī”ti. “Kattha, bhante, pāṭihāriyaṃ bhavissatī”ti? “Sāvatthiyā
samīpe kaṇḍambarukkhamūle, mahārājā”ti. “Sādhu, bhante, taṃ
passissāmā”ti. Tato titthiyā “Kaṇḍambarukkhamūle kira pāṭihāriyaṃ
bhavissatī”ti sutvā nagarassa sāmantā ambarukkhe chedāpesuṃ, nāgarā
mahāaṅgaṇaṭṭhāne mañcātimañcaṃ aṭṭādayo bandhiṃsu,
sakalajambudīpavāsino rāsibhūtā puratthimadisāyameva dvādasayojanāni
pharitvā aṭṭhaṃsu. Sesadisāsupi tadanurūpenākārena sannipatiṃsu.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-05T08:19:32.683Z
2022-10-05T08:19:32.683Z
Blake
<p>In which sutta does the Buddha state that he does not have to follow all the monastic rules and austerities closely because he is already liberated and free, as an arahant?</p>
<p>I remember reading this recently but I couldn't easily find it again.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-10-05T08:27:22.710Z
It is not because he is liberated, but because there is no rule laid down for the Buddha by the Buddha.
Blake
<reference-request><pali-canon><buddha><texts><monasticism>
Buddha saying he doesn't have to follow all the rules?
# Buddha saying he doesn't have to follow all the rules?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-09-04)

In which sutta does the Buddha state that he does not have to follow all the monastic rules and austerities closely because he is already liberated and free, as an arahant?

I remember reading this recently but I couldn't easily find it again.

**Tags:** reference-request, pali-canon, buddha, texts, monasticism

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: It is not because he is liberated, but because there is no rule laid down for the Buddha by the Buddha.  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-10-05. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

> In which sutta does the Buddha state that he does not have to follow all the monastic rules

I found it in Khuddakanikāya » Apadāna-aṭṭhakathā » Buddhavagga » Buddhaapadānavaṇṇanā.

> and austerities

No mention about austerities.

> because he is already liberated and free, as an arahant?

**It is not because he has liberated, but because he is the Budhha.** Therein the Buddha states that the Buddha is the commander of Bhikkhus and rules are only for the disciples.

*Having known the Buddha has prohibited monks from showing supernatural powers, the Titthiyas spread the news that they are ready o show supernatural powers. Then the king Bimbisara took this message to the Buddha. Then the Buddha replied "I too, great king, will show the supernatural powers".*

*Then the king asked back "Hasn't a rule laid down by he Buddha prohibiting it?". Then the Buddha questioned him "When you lay down fines for the people who eat mangoes from your park, do you lay down fines for yourself too? The king replied "No bhante". "Likewise, great king, there is no rules laid down for me", the Buddha replied.*

Since there is no any English translation available with me, I would quote the Pali passage.

> Apadāna-aṭṭhakathā » Buddhaapadānavaṇṇanā
>
> Tato titthiyā “Samaṇena kira gotamena sāvakānaṃ sikkhāpadaṃ paññattaṃ,
> te jīvitahetupi taṃ nātikkamanti, mayaṃ iddhipāṭihāriyaṃ karissāmā”ti
> tattha tattha rāsibhūtā kolāhalamakaṃsu. Atha rājā bimbisāro taṃ sutvā
> bhagavato santikaṃ gantvā vanditvā ekamantaṃ nisinno
> bhagavantamevamāha – “Titthiyā, bhante, ‘Iddhipāṭihāriyaṃ
> karissāmā’ti ugghosentī”ti. “Ahampi, mahārāja, karissāmī”ti. “Nanu,
> bhante, bhagavatā sāvakānaṃ sikkhāpadaṃ paññatta”nti. “tameva,
> mahārāja, pucchissāmi, tavuyyāne ambaphalādīni khādantānaṃ ‘Ettako
> daṇḍo’ti daṇḍaṃ ṭhapento tavāpi ekato katvā ṭhapesī”ti. “Na mayhaṃ,
> bhante, daṇḍo”ti. “Evaṃ, mahārāja, na mayhaṃ sikkhāpadaṃ paññattaṃ
> atthī”ti. “Kattha, bhante, pāṭihāriyaṃ bhavissatī”ti? “Sāvatthiyā
> samīpe kaṇḍambarukkhamūle, mahārājā”ti. “Sādhu, bhante, taṃ
> passissāmā”ti. Tato titthiyā “Kaṇḍambarukkhamūle kira pāṭihāriyaṃ
> bhavissatī”ti sutvā nagarassa sāmantā ambarukkhe chedāpesuṃ, nāgarā
> mahāaṅgaṇaṭṭhāne mañcātimañcaṃ aṭṭādayo bandhiṃsu,
> sakalajambudīpavāsino rāsibhūtā puratthimadisāyameva dvādasayojanāni
> pharitvā aṭṭhaṃsu. Sesadisāsupi tadanurūpenākārena sannipatiṃsu.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2022-09-05. Score: 2

It's in [KN.Dh. commentary Devorohanavatthu](https://5000y.men/?devoroha%E1%B9%87avatthu(rm.r.83.577.0.19)#hl) (No translation but you can see [this link](https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/yamaka-patihariya)). It's **only just for allowing the Budhha doing the Supernatural Power to laymen** before teaching them to enlighten.

Normally, the Buddha is in rule like his monks according to [DN1](https://84000.org/tipitaka/english/metta.lk/09i001-e.php), [DN2](https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.02.0.than.html), etc., which is memorized by his long term follower, ven. Ananda. Ven. Ananda must say the other note in the commentary like in Devorohanavatthu if the Buddha play out off the rule. But is there is nothing like that. The only one is allowing the Buddha to **the Supernatural Power** to the public, which can help people to enlighten follow the Buddha teaching in some situation.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The buddha has said there is no rule laid down for the Buddha himself, in the Apadāna commentary.  
> **username_2**: @username_1 It's like when you said "I have no rule of eating everyday" while you are eating everyday automatically. It's because the Buddha can live follow the rule naturally.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2022-10-05. Score: 0

It might have been a misreading. It's right that Arahats have no more requirement to go after the training itself, yet they are of course "bound" to the rules. Nevertheless the Sublime urged them also to dwell "heedful" (within the eightfold path) as else would be burdensome for them.

There are also plenty teachings that Arahats do not abandon virtues, even if no more obligations at all.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The buddha has said there is no rule laid down for the Buddha himself, in the Apadāna commentary, but not just because he is free from defilements.  
> **username_3**: Sure. It was lesser objected toward the question then the underlying intention for gaining reasoning of thinking wrong. And what does he thinks was the motivation of commenting? He wouldn't see through the net...  

---

