Lzh Mu Bi Vb Ss 19Difficult to Correct
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dubbaca
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Explanation of the Dubbaca Sutta (Difficult to Correct)
Background
The Dubbaca Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Mahāvibhaṅga of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga — the rules governing the community of bhikkhunīs. The background of this sutta is connected with events during the Buddha’s lifetime, when the Buddha established the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha so that women would have a path of practice and liberation.
The term “Dubbaca” (dubbaca: difficult to correct, hard to heal) refers to actions or attitudes that do not follow the teaching, are difficult to correct, and are resistant to advice. This sutta focuses on dealing with bhikkhunīs or bhikkhus who are difficult to subdue, resist discipline, or refuse to listen to instruction from senior elders (Mahāthera) or from the Sangha.
Main Content
The Dubbaca Sutta discusses behaviors considered “not easy to correct” in the community of monks and nuns. These are not Pātimokkha violations in the narrow sense, but attitudes and actions that cause division, oppose the rules, or display arrogance in refusing to listen to those of higher virtue.
Specifically, this sutta instructs the Sangha on how to deal with members who are “difficult to correct” (dubbaca). The method is not severe punishment but a process of discipline — including steps such as first giving a polite reminder, then a warning from the elders, and finally considering whether to apply Saṅghādisesa penalties, offenses requiring handling by the full Sangha.
The important point is that this sutta emphasizes: correction has meaning only when the person can accept the teaching. If someone completely refuses, the Sangha must still maintain its harmony and ethical conduct, and should not respond with anger or arbitrary punishment.
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