The Vinaya Pitaka is the textual framework upon which the Sangha is built. The Vinaya contains the code of rules by which monks(bhikkhus) and nuns(bhikkhunis) are to conduct themselves individually (the Patimokkha), as well as the rules and procedures that support the harmonious functioning of the community as a whole.

The basis of this school is the disciplinary code of the Dharmaguptakas, contained in the Vinaya Pitaka in Four divisions (Chinese, Shu-Fan-Lui), they are:

1. Suttavibhanga: This section includes the complete set of rules for the Sangha and the origin story for each one.
2. Khandhaka (Mahavagga): This section includes the Buddha's account of the period immediately following his Awakening, his first sermons to the group of five monks, and stories about how some of the Buddha's great disciples joined the Sangha and themselves attained Awakening. It also includes the rules for ordination, for reciting the rules during uposatha days, and various procedures that monks are to perform during formal gatherings of the Community.
3. Khandhaka (Cullavagga): This section includes an elaboration of the rules and procedures for dealing with serious offences within the Sangha. Also included are the story of the establishment of the bhikkhuni Sangha, and accounts of the First and Second Councils.
4. Parivara: A recapitulation of the previous sections, with summaries of the rules classified and re-classified in various ways for instructional purposes.

The emphasis of the practice of this school is on strict observance of the Vinaya rules. Altogether, there are 250 Patimokkha rules for the bhikkhus and 348 for the bhikkhunis. As the rules were established one by one, on a case-by-case basis, the punishments range widely in severity, from simple confession to permanent expulsion from the Sangha.