Lzh Mg Bi Pm As 1Resolution Face to Face
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sammukhāvinaya
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Sammukhāvinaya Sutta (The Discipline of Face-to-Face Settlement)
Background
Sammukhāvinaya (Pāli: sammukhā = directly, face to face; vinaya = discipline) is one of the five methods of settling disputes within the monastic community, recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. This text belongs to the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha (the Discipline for female monastics) and the regulations pertaining to communal discipline.
During the time of the Buddha, as the Sangha grew to encompass thousands of monastics, conflicts and misunderstandings among members were unavoidable. In order to maintain harmony and purity, the Buddha established specific procedures for resolving disputes in a fair and transparent manner, with the participation of the entire community. The method of "Face-to-Face Settlement" is one such approach, distinguished above all by the direct, face-to-face confrontation of the parties involved.
Main Content
Sammukhāvinaya is carried out when a dispute or a violation of the rules arises within the Sangha. The accused is brought before the monastic community so that both parties have the opportunity to speak directly in one another's presence. This is a public process, ensuring the highest degree of fairness and transparency.
The procedure unfolds as follows: First, the accused must be present (or represented) in order to hear the charges brought against them. The community then questions that person regarding the alleged conduct and requests that they either acknowledge or deny it. If the person acknowledges the transgression, they must receive the corresponding penalty or perform the appropriate penance (paṭinissaggiya). If they deny it, a more thorough investigation proceeds by means of witnesses or other forms of evidence.
The essential point of this method is that there is no secrecy, nor is anything handled behind one's back. Everything takes place openly, in the full presence of the community, ensuring that no injustice is permitted to stand. Moreover, the accused retains the right to defend themselves or to present evidence of their innocence.
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