Lzh Sarv Bu Vb As 6Majority Decision
Pāli / Sanskrit:Yebhuyyasikā
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Exposition of the Yebhuyyasikā Discourse (Decision by Majority)
Context
The Yebhuyyasikā discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Pāli Canon of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. It is part of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the analysis of discipline for female bhikkhus, where detailed rules on managing the female monastic community are recorded.
The discourse developed from a specific situation in the earliest community of monks and nuns. When disputes or important decisions arose in the religious organization, a fair and reasonable method of resolution was needed. The Yebhuyyasikā discourse presents the principle of decision by majority (yebhuyyasikā), one of the official methods approved by the Buddha for resolving disputes in the Sangha.
The historical context shows that the Buddha clearly recognized that, although the Sangha is a pure community, differences of opinion still occur. Therefore, a democratic procedure that still conforms to the Dharma was necessary, in order to ensure fairness and legality in every decision.
Main Content
Yebhuyyasikā teaches that when the Sangha needs to make an important decision, whether concerning instruction, discipline, or administrative matters, all qualified members (bhikkhunīs or bhikkhus) must be gathered. A decision is considered lawful when approved by the majority of members present.
The discourse clearly states the necessary conditions: the meeting must be convened properly, with prior notice given to all members; participants must be qualified bhikkhus or bhikkhunīs, usually a minimum of five or ten depending on the type of decision; no one may be unjustly forced to leave the meeting; and the decision is considered valid only when the number in support exceeds the number opposed.
This method is called one of the "four methods for resolving disputes" (cattāro adhikaraṇa-samathā), among which yebhuyyasikā is an important method. It expresses the combination of democracy, majority decision, and rule, adherence to the Dharma and Vinaya.
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