Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pc 92Complaining About Others
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paraujjhāpanaka
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Paraujjhāpanaka Sutta: Complaining Against Others
Background
The Paraujjhāpanaka Sutta (Pāli: Paraujjhāpanaka) in the Vinaya Piṭaka records one of the rules of communal life for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs under the teaching of the Buddha. This rule belongs to the Pācittiya class, lighter violations that still require confession; this is the third level in the system of offenses in the Buddha-Dharma.
The title "Complaining About Others" refers to petty actions, when a monastic intentionally speaks of unwholesome matters about a person or about another’s conduct in order to cause division, obscure faith, or damage reputation. This is an expression of jealousy, anger, or lack of care in speech.
This rule arose from one or more events occurring in the early Saṅgha. After witnessing disputes or harm caused by careless speech, the Buddha issued an instruction to protect communal harmony and the spirit of practice.
Main Content
The Paraujjhāpanaka rule prohibits bhikkhus from intentionally accusing, criticizing, or complaining about others, whether rightly or wrongly, with the aim of harming, dividing, or diminishing their faith. This conduct includes:
First, repeating the faults or weaknesses of others publicly, especially with the intention of damaging their honor. Second, using negative comments to create division in the community of practice. Third, complaining without the aim of healing or improving the situation.
The rule emphasizes that if it is necessary to point out someone’s fault, this should be done privately, kindly, and with the intention of helping that person practice better, not to satisfy anger or jealousy. This is an important distinction between wisdom and foolishness in communication within the Saṅgha.
Violation of this rule requires a confession (pācittiya) before the teachers in the community.
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