Lzh Mu Bu Vb As 5Majority Decision
Pāli / Sanskrit:Yebhuyyasikā
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THE SUTTA ON MAJORITY DECISION
Yebhuyyasikā (Lzh Mu Bu Vb As 5)
Background
The sutta “Majority Decision” (Yebhuyyasikā) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravada Buddha-Dharma tradition and is one of the important disciplinary rules in the Buddhist community of monks and nuns. In the context of the formation and development of the Sangha, matters related to discipline, disputes among members, and decisions on communal affairs always needed to be resolved fairly and reasonably.
The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled under the guidance of the Buddha to protect the spirit of practice, maintain harmony in the community, and build a firm ethical foundation for those who go forth according to the Dharma. The rule of “Majority Decision” is one of the most basic legal mechanisms, reflecting the principle of consultative democracy in the Buddhist Sangha from the very time when the Buddha was still alive.
Main Content
The principle of “Majority Decision” (Yebhuyyasikā) is a recognized and applied method of decision-making when the Sangha needs to resolve disputed matters or make important decisions related to discipline or the common work of the monastic community. When an issue is brought up for consideration, bhikkhus or bhikkhunis are asked to vote or cast their ballots according to their views.
This method is carried out solemnly: the monastics gather, an issue is presented clearly, and then each person has the right to express an opinion or vote. The majority of votes determines the final outcome. This rule ensures that no single individual, including leading monks, can act autocratically or impose his own opinion on the entire community. Instead, the power of decision belongs to the collective, reflecting the spirit of fairness and respect for the opinions of all members.
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