Lzh Mi Bi Pm Pc 57Groundless Accusation
Pāli / Sanskrit:Amūlaka
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
AMŪLAKA SUTTA: GROUNDLESS ACCUSATIONS
Background
The Amūlaka Sutta, from the Pāli “amūla,” meaning rootless or baseless, is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the disciplinary rules for nuns. This sutta was recorded for the purpose of governing and protecting harmony (samaggi) in the community of bhikkhunīs, while establishing the principle of fairness in handling accusations among members.
In the historical context of early Buddhism, monastic communities had to face disputes and accusations among members. To maintain spiritual discipline and trust, the Buddha laid down specific rules for handling accusations without basis. This not only protects those falsely accused, but also prevents the abuse of power within the community.
Main Content
The Amūlaka Sutta deals with the situation in which a nun is accused of conduct violating the discipline without evidence or factual basis. The mechanism of handling is designed to protect the accused through three recognized kinds of evidence: direct evidence (sakka-sāmaṇera), evidence from the testimony of the accused herself, or evidence from public witnesses (paññatti-sāmaṇera).
If an accusation cannot be proven through any form, it is considered “amūlaka,” groundless. In this case, the accuser must bear legal responsibility. The discipline lays down that false accusation can lead to penalties such as public confession or, in serious cases, temporary separation from the community.
What is important is that the Vinaya Piṭaka not only protects the accused, but also encourages honesty and caution in bringing accusations. The community must verify facts before giving judgment, and those who participate in this process must observe the principle of impartiality.
🌏 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.