One of the three divisions of the Tipiṭaka. It contains rules and regulations for the conduct of monks and nuns in all the details of their lives. The rules are attributed to the Buddha himself, and an old commentary, incorporated into the text, gives accounts of the occasions on which the rules were formulated. A certain amount of historical matter is also found regarding the Order, especially in the last two chapters of the Cūḷa Vagga.

The Vinaya Piṭaka consists of the Sutta-Vibhaṅga, the Khandhakas, the Parivāra, and the Pāṭimokkha.

The first is divided into Pārājika and Pācittiya and the second into Mahā Vagga and Cūḷa Vagga.