Lzh Dg Bi Pm Ss 12Difficult to Correct
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dubbaca
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Dubbaca Scripture: Those Difficult to Correct
Context
The Dubbaca scripture (Dubbaca Sutta) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, as part of the rules of training established by the Buddha to maintain discipline in the Sangha. This collection was compiled to record decisions concerning discipline (sīla) in the community of monks and nuns, in order to protect the spirit of practice and communal harmony.
The Dubbaca scripture focuses on a major topic: monks and nuns who are difficult to correct, disobedient persons who show a rigid attitude toward compassionate counsel. This is not a discourse on lofty spirituality, but a practical guide to help elders manage the community of practitioners and handle difficult situations when some disciples refuse to change their wrong conduct.
Main Content
The scripture describes monks and nuns called “dubbaca” (difficult to correct, difficult to discipline), people with four main characteristics. First, they live contrary to the Dharma (adhamma), that is, they do not observe the precepts and regulations of the Sangha. Second, they live contrary to the Vinaya (avinayadhamma), violating the Vinaya Piṭaka either innocently or deliberately. Third, they follow only what they want (seyyathidaṃ akaronti), deciding right and wrong according to personal preference rather than the guidance of teachers. Fourth, they refuse to listen to compassionate counsel from companions in the practice (kalyāṇa-mittatā), rejecting reminders from seniors or elders.
Such people are considered “difficult to correct” not because they lack intellectual capacity, but because of stubbornness in the mind and arrogance concerning their own actions. The scripture indicates that such persons cannot move toward wholesome qualities (kusala dhamma) unless they actively change their attitude.
To address this situation, the Sangha may apply disciplinary measures, from private admonition to temporary exclusion from communal activities, until the person shows remorse or accepts guidance.
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