Lzh Mu Bu Pm Pc 75Legitimate Correction
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sahadhammika
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The Sahadhammika Sutta (Legitimate Request for Correction)
Background
The Sahadhammika Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Pātimokkha section, the basic training rules for the Buddhist Sangha. In the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka records the teachings of the Buddha given to monks and nuns for the harmonious management of the community, thereby protecting the True Dharma for a long time.
This discourse arose from practical needs in the monastic community. When a member violated a vow or engaged in improper conduct, the Buddha did not create a system of harsh punishment, but instead taught a way of correction through loving-kindness and just procedure. Sahadhammika, meaning “legitimate correction according to the Dharma,” expresses this principle: it is the way to ask another monastic to amend conduct through compassionate dialogue, not punishment.
Main Content
According to the principle of Sahadhammika, when a monk or nun behaves contrary to the Dharma and Vinaya, fellow practitioners should not immediately apply punitive measures such as Ticchanna or Patisallīna. Instead, they should carry out “legitimate correction”: approaching with loving-kindness, offering reminders, and creating an opportunity for that person to recognize the error and voluntarily amend it.
This process begins when a monastic, or a group of experienced monastics, approaches the offender, clearly presents the fault point by point, and shows how that conduct contradicts what the Buddha taught. The important matter is that this must be done “saha-dhamma,” together with the Dharma, meaning that the Dharma is used as the basis, not anger or arrogance. If the person admits the fault and corrects it, the matter is considered complete. The Sangha continues united for the shared purpose of practicing according to the Dharma.
This discourse also clearly states that a legitimate request for correction should be used only when truly necessary, not to display power or satisfy oneself.
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