Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pc 75Legitimate Correction
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sahadhammika
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Exposition of the Sahadhammika Sutta (Correction in Accordance With the Dharma)
Background
The Sahadhammika Sutta (Pāli: Sahadhammika-khandhaka) belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically to the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the rules for nuns, and to sections concerning communal correction. This is an important part of the Vinaya, where principles are recorded concerning how members of the monastic community may correct and admonish one another in accordance with the path.
The context in which this sutta arose is connected with the development of the communities of monks and nuns during the time of the Buddha. As the monastic communities grew, clear rules were needed to maintain discipline and internal harmony. Correction or admonishment is an important means of helping those who have violated the discipline recognize their faults and amend their conduct.
Main Content
The Sahadhammika Sutta concerns the principle of “correction in accordance with the Dharma” (sahadhammika, literally “fellow-Dharma” or “co-Dharmic correction”). This is a form of reminding and offering counsel among those who practice the same Dharma, especially among nuns or among monastics in the community.
The conditions for correction to be legitimate include the following: the one giving correction must have a pure mind, not acting out of personal feeling or anger; the correction must be based on actual violations of the discipline or on conduct not in harmony with the Dharma; the manner of correction must be direct and respectful, with the purpose of helping the other person, not showing oneself off or causing harm; and the one being corrected should accept it humbly.
This sutta also makes clear that legitimate correction is an expression of compassion, a way of practicing “forbearance” (khakkhanti, the capacity to endure) and mettā, loving-kindness. Those who practice sincerely welcome correction from spiritual companions, because it helps them grow spiritually.
Practical Meaning
The Sahadhammika Sutta teaches that correction in accordance with the Dharma is not a personal attack, but a form of love and care within the community of practice.
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