Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 53Obstructing a Legal Procedure
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kammapaṭibāhana
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Discourse on Obstructing a Legal Procedure (Kammapaṭibāhana)
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the regulations concerning acts (kamma) and communal procedures of the Sangha are the foundation for monastic discipline. The Discourse on Obstructing a Legal Procedure (Kammapaṭibāhana) is found in the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring confession. It records a violation connected with communal acts, specifically the act of obstructing or hindering the carrying out of lawful decisions by the Sangha.
This background reflects the early period of the Sangha, when bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs needed to learn how to perform communal duties in an organized way. Obstructive actions affect not only the implementation of discipline but also the unity of the Sangha, which is essential for the practice of the Buddhadharma.
Main Content
Kammapaṭibāhana, obstruction of kamma, concerns actions or words intentionally preventing the Sangha from carrying out a lawful decision. Specifically, this discourse teaches that when the Sangha has assembled to perform a communal act, such as accepting a new bhikkhu, applying discipline, or approving monastic matters, no one should seek to undermine that procedure.
Forms of obstruction may include: making distracting statements, creating unnecessary disputes, inciting members to abandon a decision, or using tricks to interrupt the meeting. This violation is considered Pācittiya, a fault requiring the offender to confess before the Sangha.
This rule emphasizes the importance of procedure. In Theravāda Buddhism, the Sangha operates according to clear regulations (kamma-vācanā), and any action that breaks this order affects the effectiveness of collective practice. It is not merely an administrative matter, but an ethical one: the acceptance of voluntary discipline.
Meaning for Practice
The discourse teaches that respect for Sangha procedure is an inseparable part of practicing the Buddha’s path.
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