Lzh Mi Bu Vb As 6Majority Decision

The Sutta on Majority Decision (Yebhuyyasikā)

Background

The Sutta on Majority Decision (Yebhuyyasikā) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, and represents a mechanism of collective governance in the Buddhist Sangha. This is an important element of the Vinaya in the Theravāda tradition, where decisions concerning discipline, correction, and communal administration are handled through systematic procedures.

In the historical context, early Buddhists encountered many disputes and disagreements concerning practice. While the Buddha was alive, he directly resolved these matters. However, after the Buddha’s parinirvana, the Sangha needed clear rules to maintain unity and order. In that context, the method of "Decision by Majority" (yebhuyyasikā) arose as a democratic principle applied to Vinaya matters.

Main Content

The principle of Decision by Majority is a method for handling disputes or problematic persons through open voting in the Sangha. When an issue needs to be resolved and there is no unanimous agreement, the Sangha conducts a vote: those who support a decision stand up or raise their hands. The majority determines the final outcome.

This procedure is especially related to dealing with members of the Sangha who have violated the Vinaya, committed offenses, or acted in ways not in keeping with the spirit of the Buddhadharma. Although the method may appear formal, it is applied under the principle that no one is ignored and that all have an opportunity to be heard fairly.

The theory behind this procedure is that a collective of those who practice the Vinaya will have collective wisdom to see the matter more clearly than any single individual. Decision by majority is not for the sake of "absolute democracy," but because it is a practical means to preserve the Dharma when complete agreement cannot be reached.

Practical Meaning

The deeper meaning of Yebhuyyasikā extends beyond a mere voting procedure.