Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 5Reopening a Legal Issue
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ukkoṭana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Ukkoṭana Sutta (Reopening a Legal Issue)
Background
The Ukkoṭana Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically within the Pācittiya section, the minor offenses requiring confession. In the Vinaya Piṭaka system, Ukkoṭana is one of the regulations concerning how to handle legal matters of the Sangha that have already been decided. The word “ukkoṭana” means “reopening,” “raising up,” or “bringing up again a question that has already been settled.”
The Vinaya Piṭaka was transmitted with the purpose of maintaining discipline and harmony in the monastic community. The regulations concerning reopening settled matters reflect the deep understanding of early Buddhism regarding the need to balance stability with the ability to respond to new situations.
Main Content
The Ukkoṭana Sutta states that monastics must not arbitrarily reopen or argue about legal decisions that the Sangha has agreed upon and announced. When a disputed matter has been brought before the monastic council and an official decision has been made, continuing to debate that matter without a valid basis is considered improper conduct.
However, the sutta also states exceptions in which a matter may be reopened: if new evidence appears, or if an error is discovered in the original inquiry process. This shows that Theravāda Buddhism does not regard decisions as eternal and inviolable, but as conclusions based on evidence and reasoning at that time.
This rule aims to protect the unity and stability of the Sangha, preventing endless disputes that drain the energy of communal practice. At the same time, it also protects the right of monastics to seek the truth, provided there is a proper basis.
Practical Meaning
The Ukkoṭana Sutta teaches that in a community of practice, there must be a balance between adherence to collective decisions and the ability to correct mistakes when they are discovered.
🌏 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.