Lzh Dg Bu Pm Pc 80Groundless Accusation

Sutra on Groundless Accusation (Amūlaka)

Background

The Amūlaka sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, a work concerned with the governance of the religious community and the protection of the Buddhist lineage. Vinaya texts in the Pāli Canon are not merely academic disciplinary rules, but also lessons on karma, trust, and collective welfare.

Amūlaka means “without root” or “without basis,” referring to accusations made without actual evidence. In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, this is a fundamental matter of fairness and honesty within the monastic community. This sutra addresses the situation in which a monk or nun is accused of violating the precepts without valid evidence, or when accusations arise from malicious motives.

Behind this sutra lies the Buddha’s concern about a kind of action that can seriously harm the Sangha: spreading false accusations, harboring hateful intentions, or deliberately defaming another’s honor for personal purposes.

Main Content

The Amūlaka sutra establishes a clear principle: a valid accusation must have an actual foundation, not merely empty words or assumptions. The Buddha gives guidance on the conditions under which an accusation may be considered proper.

First, an accusation must be based on direct observation or clear evidence. If someone claims that another person has violated the precepts, they must be able to prove it through witnesses or objective facts. Merely saying “I heard it said” or “Everyone says so” is not enough to make a valid accusation.

Second, the motive of the accuser must be examined. If someone repeatedly makes accusations because of personal hostility, ambition for power, or jealousy, then this is a “groundless accusation,” amūlaka. Such accusations destroy trust within the Sangha and create discord.

Third, this sutra warns of the consequences of falsely accusing others.