Lzh Sarv Bu Pm 2 Pc 52Obstructing a Legal Procedure
Pāli / Sanskrit:Kammapaṭibāhana
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SUTTA ON OBSTRUCTING THE PROCEDURE FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES
(Kammapaṭibāhana Pātimokkha Sikkhāpada)
Background
The Sutta on Obstructing the Procedure for Resolving Disputes (Kammapaṭibāhana) is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic code that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. This code was built from actual disputes that arose in the Sangha during the Buddha’s lifetime.
Kammapaṭibāhana is one of the Pācittiya rules, rules requiring confession, established by the Blessed Buddha when he saw that monks and nuns deliberately obstructed official procedures of the Sangha in order to protect members who had violated the discipline. This action undermines unity and trust in the community of practice.
Main Content
According to the Pāli Vinaya, when the Sangha becomes aware that a monk or nun has violated the discipline, the official procedure of kamma, an act or formal action of the Sangha, is carried out in order to examine and handle the violation. This procedure includes the steps of first making an announcement (ñatti), followed by repeated proclamations (anusāvana) to confirm the offense.
Obstruction (paṭibāhana) is defined as when a monk or nun intentionally interferes with, interrupts, or prevents this procedure by lying, fabricating, or declaring falsehoods in order to cover for the offender or to make the procedure unable to proceed. This differs from simply expressing a different opinion; it is a deliberate act of undermining the openness and fairness of the procedure.
The rule states that any monk or nun who obstructs the procedure for resolving disputes must confess the fault. This is a pācittiya, an offense more serious than the lightest faults but not to the extent of expulsion from the Sangha. Confession before another monastic is the means of correction.
Practical Meaning
The Kammapaṭibāhana rule expresses a profound principle of early Buddhism: the Sangha must function with transparency and fairness.
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