Lzh Sarv Bu Vb Pj 4Laying False Claim to Superhuman Attainments
Pāli / Sanskrit:Uttarimanussadhamma
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Discourse on False Claims to Superhuman Dharma (Uttarimanussadhamma)
Background
Uttarimanussadhamma, or “Superhuman Dharma,” is a disciplinary rule in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. This discourse is recorded in the Pāṭimokkha, the most basic code for Buddhist monks and nuns.
The historical background of this discourse is connected with Buddha Śākyamuni’s establishment of rules of practice to protect the purity of the Sangha. In the early period of Buddhism, some dishonest monastics claimed to possess superhuman abilities (abhiññā) that they did not actually have. These false claims caused conflict in the Sangha and undermined the faith of laypeople. Therefore, the Buddha established a prohibitive rule to prevent the act of lying about supernatural abilities.
Main Content
The Uttarimanussadhamma rule states that if a monk, nun, or practitioner claims to possess superhuman abilities, such as the divine eye (dibbacakkhu), divine ear (dibbasota), or knowledge of others’ minds (cetopariyañāṇa), when in fact they do not, this is considered a serious fault.
This deceptive conduct includes statements such as: “I have attained arhatship,” “I can see the past lives of others,” or “I have attained nirvana.” Such words, if untrue, violate the basic principle of truthfulness in Buddhism.
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, this act is classified as Pārājika (defeat offense) or Saṅghādisesa (an offense requiring penance before the Sangha), depending on the degree of the claim and the intention of the offender. The important point is that whether the person intends to exploit others to gain offerings or merely boasts, lying about superhuman abilities is prohibited.
Practical Meaning
The Uttarimanussadhamma Sutta emphasizes the importance of truthfulness (sacca) in Buddhist practice.
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