What is the meaning of ādi­kammi­ka in Vibhanga

[Gabriel_L]

Dear venerables @sujato & @Brahmali,

I would like to know how do you make sense of the term ādi­kammi­ka in the context of the defining when an offense does not occur across the Vibhangas:

Anāpatti—supinantena, namoca­nādhip­pāyassa, ummattakassa, khittacittassa, vedanāṭṭassa, ādi­kammi­kas­sāti.

I am currently translating it into Portuguese using a term that would be closer to beginner. However, I am tempted to move back to the expression which would be closer to “the first one to commit the offense”.

The reason for this is that it seems that the monks who in ther stories were the first to commit those offenses are not punished.

Of course they are rebuked by the Blessed One and made an example of what a bad monk is but still they carry on wearing the robes it seems. The terrible Udayi is found accross the sanghadisesa stories doing all sort of crazy things…

[sujato]

@Gabriel_L

However, I am tempted to move back to the expression which would be closer to “the first one to commit the offense”.

This is the right meaning. As you cannot be guilty of committing an offence that doesn’t exist, the person whose act prompts the rule to be laid down is always exempt.

[Gabriel_L]

Thank you very much indeed Bhante.