Lzh Mu Bu Pm Pj 4Laying False Claim to Superhuman Attainments
Pāli / Sanskrit:Uttarimanussadhamma
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The Sutta on the Results of Falsely Claiming Superhuman Attainments
Background
The Uttarimanussadhamma Sutta (falsely claiming superhuman attainments) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, reflecting the deep concern of early Buddhism for monastic ethics and the integrity of the Sangha. The discourse was established in the context of incidents involving bhikkhus who made false claims about superhuman attainments they had not actually reached. These are not minor faults, but serious violations of the spirit of practice and the discipline of the Sangha.
In the early period of the Sangha’s development, when the Buddha-Dharma first spread widely, there were individuals who relied on the name of being monastics but in reality had none of the meditative experiences or spiritual attainments they claimed. This act not only deceives others but also destroys faith in the Buddha-Dharma and the Sangha, and this is precisely why the Buddha-Dharma established clear regulations.
Main Content
The specific content of this discourse has not been fully translated in the currently available descriptive information. However, according to the general context of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, this discourse deals with violations related to falsely claiming uttarimanussadhamma (things beyond the human), including:
First, falsely claiming states of meditation (jhāna) that one has never experienced. These states require deep mental concentration and subtle progression, and cannot be falsified by those who truly practice.
Second, falsely claiming supernormal powers (abhiññā), such as psychic powers, the divine eye, or the knowledge of others’ minds, abilities that arise only from deep meditative practice and observance of discipline.
Third, making claims about noble states (ariyā) one has not attained, such as claiming to be a paccekabuddha or bodhisattva. This act directly contradicts the humility and truthfulness encouraged by the Buddha-Dharma.
The penalty for these violations is very grave.
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