Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pc 112Seeing Obstacles to Ordination but Not Speaking
Pāli / Sanskrit:Seeing obstacles to ordination but not speaking
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Sutta on Seeing an Obstacle Clearly but Not Speaking of It
Background
This sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda tradition of the Buddhadharma, specifically in the Pācittiya section, offenses that require repentance. The Vinaya Piṭaka is the body of scripture dealing with the rules that monks and nuns must follow in order to maintain the purity of the Sangha.
The background of this sutta arose from specific situations in the early monastic community. When candidates requested ordination, the monks had to consider whether they were qualified to enter the precepts. Obstacles (āvaraṇa) included past offenses, serious illnesses, or other factors that made a person unsuitable for the monastic life.
The ethical issue addressed by this sutta is this: if a monk or nun sees such obstacles but remains silent, does not speak of them or report them, what will happen? Silence in this situation is considered a negative act, because it may lead to the acceptance of unworthy persons into the Sangha, thereby harming the cleanliness and harmony of the monastic community.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, seeing an obstacle clearly but not speaking of it is regarded as a Pācittiya offense. This means that a monk or nun must confess this fault before another monastic, or before the entire Sangha depending on the seriousness of the case.
The reason for establishing this rule is clear: the Sangha is a religious institution that must maintain purity and public trust. If people with defects or unsuitable illnesses are admitted into the monastery, they may become a burden to the community, or worse, cause harm to the monastery.
The sutta stipulates that if a monk or nun truly sees an obstacle clearly and does not report it, they must undergo careful examination by the Sangha. This silence is not neutral; it is a negative participation in an erroneous process of admission into the precepts.
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