Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pc 54Groundless Accusation
Pāli / Sanskrit:Amūlaka
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SUTTA ON GROUNDLESS ACCUSATIONS
Amūlaka — The Early Pāli Vinaya
Background
In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, the rules of training were established not only to govern outward conduct, but also to protect the integrity and trustworthiness of the community of monks and nuns. The Amūlaka Sutta, that is, “Groundless Accusation,” belongs to the Pātimokkha (Pratimoksha), the basic disciplinary code of monastics.
The background to the arising of this rule reflects real conflicts within the monastic community. During the Buddha’s lifetime, some monastics, intentionally or unintentionally, sought to accuse others without accurate evidence. This caused disharmony, weakened trust, and damaged unity within the Sangha. Therefore the Buddha established clear prohibitions to prevent “groundless” accusations, meaning accusations lacking a basis in fact.
Main Content
The Amūlaka rule forbids all monastics from accusing another monk or bhikkhunī on the basis of things that are unreal or unsupported by evidence. Specifically, one must not accuse another of violating the Pātimokkha (Pratimoksha), that is, the basic prohibitions, if one has no clear proof, or if one relies only on hearsay, conjecture, or malicious motive.
This rule is considered from several perspectives. If a monastic accuses another while:
- Not having directly witnessed the act
- Having no material evidence or reliable witness
- Acting only on private interest or personal conflict
Then that monastic violates this rule. The degree of offense depends on the motive, the consequences, and the public nature of the accusation.
This prohibition also encourages an important legal principle: the protection of personal honor and the integrity of living monastics.
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