Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pj 4Laying False Claim to Superhuman Attainments
Pāli / Sanskrit:Uttarimanussadhamma
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The Sutta on False Claims Concerning Superhuman Attainments
Background
The Uttarimanussadhamma Sutta, false claims concerning superhuman attainments, belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the disciplinary section of the Theravāda Buddhist Tipiṭaka. This is an important part of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the list of monastic rules that bhikkhus must follow in order to maintain the order of the community of practice.
This sutta was delivered when the Buddha discovered wrongful actions in the Sangha community. Certain renunciants had declared or boasted of superhuman attainments (uttarimanussadhamma), such as deep understanding, kinds of concentration (samādhi), wisdom (paññā), or supernatural powers, while in reality they had not attained them. This action not only violates the spirit of practice but also greatly harms the honor of the teaching.
Main Content
The sutta establishes that if a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī declares that they have attained superhuman achievements, whether stages of awakening, capacity for concentration, or special powers (abhiññā), while in reality they have not attained them, this act is considered Pārājika, the gravest offense, leading to compulsory departure from the Sangha.
The important point lies in intention. The rule punishes only when the person clearly knows they have not attained but still declares it. If due to misunderstanding or carelessness, the level of offense is different. The language used also plays a role: a direct declaration is considered more serious than indirect suggestions.
This rule includes forms of declaration by speech, gesture, or silent conduct allowing others to infer it. Whether the declaration is made to one person or many, to someone with Dharma or without Dharma, it is considered a violation if done with the intention to deceive.
Practical Meaning
This rule expresses a core principle of Buddhism: truthfulness (saccañāṇa). In Buddhist practice, truth itself is the foundation.
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