Lzh Dg Bu Pm 2 As 1Resolution Face to Face
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sammukhāvinaya
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Sammukhāvinaya Discourse (Resolution Face to Face)
Background
Sammukhāvinaya is one of the five methods for resolving disputes (Adhikaraṇa Samatha) recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism. This discourse belongs to the Pātimokkha Sutta and the regulations concerning discipline in the Saṅgha. Its background lies in the early years after the Buddha established the Saṅgha, when the monastic community had to face internal conflicts concerning understanding, conduct, and observance of the precepts.
This method is applied when an offense or dispute arises among members of the Saṅgha. Rather than allowing the situation to grow into prolonged conflict, the Buddha instructed the relevant parties to face one another directly in order to resolve the matter. This is an expression of harmony (samaggī) and communal wisdom, which Theravāda Buddhism highly values.
Main Content
Sammukhāvinaya, meaning “resolution face to face” or “resolution in the presence of,” is the method by which two disputing parties face one another directly in the presence of the Saṅgha or competent members. The offender must acknowledge the fault, the injured party has the opportunity to present their view, and the community witnesses the process to ensure fairness.
The key point of this method is openness and transparency. There is no concealment or backstage negotiation. Everything takes place openly, helping the community understand the nature of the matter and learn from the mistakes of others. The process is not intended as punishment in the modern sense, but to restore relationships and reestablish trust (pasannā).
When a dispute is resolved face to face, the two sides look directly at the truth of what happened, understanding the motives and consequences of the action. The offender is given the opportunity for genuine repentance (paṭipadā), not merely in words but through changed action and attitude. This builds a firm foundation for reconciliation and shared spiritual development.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.