Lzh Mg Bi Pm Sk 55Finding Fault
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ujjhānasaññī
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Explanation of the Ujjhānasaññī Scripture (The Scripture on Finding Fault)
Background
The Ujjhānasaññī Scripture is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon and reflects disciplinary issues in the early Sangha. Following the Theravāda tradition, this scripture records the Buddha’s instructions on the mental attitude to be maintained when practicing and living together in the monastic community. “Ujjhānasaññī” means “one who looks for faults” or “one who is prone to criticism,” a problem of the human mind that the Buddha Dharma must address comprehensively.
In the historical context, while the Buddha was still living and the Sangha was developing, members sometimes fell into the habit of criticizing and seeking out the faults of others instead of focusing on their own practice. This is a major obstacle on the path, because it arises from greed, hatred, and delusion — the three poisons against which the Buddha Dharma always warns.
Main Content
This scripture teaches that when a person is absorbed in finding faults in others (ujjhāna), he is creating a mental state unfavorable to practice. Such a perception is regarded as “wrong perception” (micchā-saññī), that is, a distortion in the way one perceives the world.
The Buddha points out that the issue is not whether others do or do not have faults. In the world, faults often exist, but the responsibility of each practitioner is to guard his own mind according to the path. Instead of spending energy on criticism, the practitioner should return to himself — examining his own shortcomings, cultivating wholesome qualities, and nurturing loving-kindness and tolerance.
Those who are absorbed in finding faults in others will be swept into the cycle of anger, resentment, and hatred, and will place themselves in the position of a judge — a role inappropriate for a monastic. Conversely, the scripture teaches that maintaining sīla (discipline), cultivating samādhi (concentration), and developing paññā (wisdom) are the truly essential actions.
Practical Meaning
From the perspective of modern practice, the Ujjhānasaññī Scripture reminds us of the importance of self-reflection.
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