Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pc 12Complaining

Sutta on Complaining (Ujjhāpanaka)

Background

The Sutta on Complaining belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Pācittiya section, a collection of disciplinary rules that are easily violated. Although this rule is recorded in the law collections of Buddhist traditions, the Pāli Canon of the Theravāda tradition preserves the essence of this teaching clearly.

The historical picture shows that monks in the Buddha’s time often faced the following situation: when a brother in the Sangha acted improperly, other monks would complain or grumble publicly or privately. This not only failed to solve the problem, but also harmed the unity of the Sangha, creating division and loss of trust. Seeing this harm, the Buddha established a rule to protect internal harmony in the Sangha and to teach proper conduct.

Main Content

Ujjhāpanaka (complaining, grumbling) prescribes that if a monk or bhikkhunī complains about the conduct of another monastic before those who are not members of the Sangha, such as laypeople or outsiders, without a valid reason for doing so, that monastic commits a Pācittiya offense, a fault requiring confession or acknowledgment.

This rule does not forbid practical exchange or discussion within the Sangha. On the contrary, it reminds practitioners that internal matters should be resolved within the framework of the Sangha, according to the proper rules and in a spirit of harmony. Bringing such matters outside to complain, publicly criticize, or create a bad impression of the Sangha before those who do not yet have faith in the Buddha is mistaken.

There are exceptions: if the action of that monastic violates a Pārājika or is extremely serious, informing appropriate persons in order to protect the Dharma is necessary. However, complaints without a firm basis or made from impure motives are violations.