Lzh Mi Bu Vb Pc 63Legitimate Correction

THE SAHADHAMMIKA TEXT (SAHADHAMMA-VATTHU)

Legitimate Correction

Background

In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, Sahadhammika (sahadhamma = together with the Dharma; vatthu = section, matter) is an important part of the Pācittiya class, the category of minor offenses requiring confession. This text arose from specific situations in the life of the Sangha, where bhikkhus needed to correct one another in a proper and reasonable way.

The background from the Mahāvagga shows that the Buddha taught the bhikkhus that correction and the pointing out of faults are not intrusion or harm, but an expression of sincere concern for the Dharma (Dhamma) and the purity of the Sangha. However, the manner of correction must follow strict principles, including the right time, the right person, the right method, and the right qualification.

Main Content

Sahadhammika establishes that a bhikkhu may admonish a fellow practitioner regarding a violation of discipline or a fault, but five core conditions must be met. The one who corrects must have a mind free from anger and fear, must clearly know that the fault has occurred, must choose an appropriate time when the other person can accept it, and must use gentle speech, not harsh or conceited words.

In particular, this text emphasizes that sahadhammika correction, correction that preserves the Dharma and does not destroy the shared relationship of practice, is effective only when the person being corrected is willing to accept it. If that person refuses, the merit of the admonition is lost. The text also states that a bhikkhu should not repeatedly correct the same person about the same matter more than three times; if that person still does not change, the matter should be left alone.

More importantly, Sahadhammika teaches that the aim of correction is to help a fellow practitioner return to the Dharma, not to display superiority or gain personal dominance.