Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 13Complaining

UJJHĀPANAKA SUTTA — ON COMPLAINT AND GRIEVANCE

Background

Ujjhāpanaka is one of the important rules in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the discipline for bhikkhunīs, within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. The title comes from the Pāli word "ujjhāpanā," meaning "complaint, grievance, or expression of dissatisfaction." In the context of the Vinaya, this rule regulates the conduct of bhikkhunīs when they express discontent or complain publicly, especially with confused or disrespectful words.

The Ujjhāpanaka rule is recorded as a Pācittiya, an offense requiring confession and corrective service. It reflects the Buddha's concern for harmony in the bhikkhunī community, as well as instruction in controlling the mind and speech. This sutta arose from specific events in the early history of the Sangha, when bhikkhunīs were unable to restrain emotions of grievance or complaint.

Main Content

The Ujjhāpanaka rule concerns a bhikkhunī who complains, grumbles, or openly expresses dissatisfaction, especially before other members of the community. This conduct is regarded as harmful because it weakens unity, creates division, and reflects a mind not yet properly cultivated.

The sutta does not simply prohibit confused speech or slander, but also makes clear that such complaints often arise from the mental states of greed, hatred, and delusion, the three fundamental poisons. When a bhikkhunī allows herself to grumble or become dissatisfied, she is allowing these negative mental states to govern her conduct, thereby harming both her own practice and the community.

This rule also contains a deep educational element: it teaches that expressing negative emotions is not the proper way to resolve conflict or difficulty.