Lzh Mg Bi Vb As 6Majority Decision
Pāli / Sanskrit:Yebhuyyasikā
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The Discourse on Majority Decision (Yebhuyyasikā)
Background
The Yebhuyyasikā belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically within the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga—the rules of training for bhikkhunīs. This text is presented in the context of the Buddha Śākyamuni and the community of nuns in ancient India, at a time when matters of discipline and the governance of the monastic community needed to be resolved fairly and according to established rules.
In the early period of the Dharma, the bhikkhunīs required clear guidance on how to handle disputes or breaches of discipline. Rather than allowing such decisions to rest in the hands of a single individual, the Buddha established mechanisms for collective decision-making, among which the "majority decision" (yebhuyyasikā) is a widely recognized method regarded as fair and democratic.
Main Content
The Yebhuyyasikā instructs that when a matter of discipline or a dispute cannot be resolved by other means, the community of bhikkhunīs may rely upon a majority decision (yebhuyyasikā). This means that when a vote is conducted among the bhikkhunīs present and duly qualified, whichever option receives the support of the majority is to be regarded as the final decision.
This method is applied in specific cases according to the Vinaya, such as when determining whether a bhikkhunī has violated the Pātimokkha—the fundamental code of precepts—or when matters of community governance need to be addressed. The procedure is carried out formally: the eligible bhikkhunīs are informed, deliberation is opened so that both sides have the opportunity to present their position, a vote or show of support is then conducted, and whichever option commands the majority is put into effect.
It should be noted that the "majority" here does not mean just anyone, but must consist of bhikkhunīs who have been properly instructed and who observe the rules of the Saṅgha in accordance with the proper standard. This ensures that the decisions made do not arise from ignorance or personal influence, but from those with genuine experience in the training.
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