Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 34Concealing a Grave Offense
Pāli / Sanskrit:Duṭṭhulla
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The Discourse on Concealing Serious Offenses (Duṭṭhulla)
Background
The Duṭṭhulla discourse belongs to the Vinaya Pitaka in the early tradition of the Buddha Dharma, specifically in the Pāṭimokkha, the basic prohibitions of the Sangha. This is one of the important rules regulating the ethical conduct of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs.
The background of this discourse is connected with historical events in the time of Buddha Shakyamuni. As the Sangha grew, issues concerning the acknowledgment of faults, correction of conduct, and maintenance of diligence in the place of practice became urgent. The Duṭṭhulla discourse was established to ensure the clarity of the Sangha through the principle of openness and honesty when dealing with major offenses.
Main Content
The Duṭṭhulla discourse states that if a bhikkhu commits a serious offense (duṭṭhulla offense), that is, an act that deeply violates the vows of one gone forth, and intentionally conceals it, deliberately fails to disclose it, or refuses to acknowledge it, this is an additional violation, even more serious than the original fault.
The core principle is: concealing a fault is equivalent to committing another offense, called "Concealing." In the Vinaya system, this is regarded as a violation in both action and intention, because it includes greed, hatred, and delusion, the three poisons (kilesas) of the mind.
This discourse emphasizes that when a bhikkhu commits an offense, the only proper way to handle it is to acknowledge it openly before the Sangha, perform the ceremony of confession (pariṭṭhāna), and accept the appropriate penalty. Concealment not only fails to resolve the matter, but also creates impurity in the individual's mind and in the monastic community.
Practical Meaning
The deeper meaning of the Duṭṭhulla discourse lies in encouraging integrity and spiritual courage in Buddhist practice. For modern practitioners, whether lay or monastic, this principle still retains its value.
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