Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 94Complaining About Others

Paraujjhāpanaka Discourse: Explanation on Accusing Others

Background

The Paraujjhāpanaka discourse (Pāli: paraujjhāpanaka, meaning “accusing, trying to harm another”) is a Pācittiya offense (a lighter violation requiring correction) recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. This discourse arose from specific situations in the monastic community, when monastics tried to accuse or damage the reputation of others from impure motives.

According to the spirit of the Buddhist Vinaya, these regulations are not punitive sentences, but enlightened guidance, intended to help practitioners recognize how their actions affect communal harmony and their own practice. The Paraujjhāpanaka discourse concerns one of the most harmful actions to the body of the Sangha: intentionally accusing, slandering, or trying to weaken another’s reputation.

Main Content

According to the rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka, a monk or nun must not intentionally accuse another person publicly for the purpose of harming or humiliating them. This action is considered a Pācittiya offense because it directly contradicts the first principle of the Five Precepts (Pañcasīla) and the spirit of compassion (mettā) in the Buddhist Dharma.

This understanding does not deny the right to report or point out the actual faults of others when necessary for the purity of the community or for practice. However, motive is the determining factor. If a practitioner accuses another because of jealousy, hatred, or the wish to lower that person’s reputation, then it is a wrong action. Conversely, if the motive is to protect the monastic community, or to help someone recognize their fault for the sake of practice, then pointing out the fault is in accord with the Buddhist Dharma.

This discourse emphasizes that what is spoken must be true (sacca), spoken at the proper time, spoken with meaning, and spoken with love, not in order to seek attention or honor for oneself.