Upp Sk 52Finding Fault
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ujjhānasaññī
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Interpretation of the Ujjhānasaññī Sutta (Finding Fault)
Background
The Ujjhānasaññī Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga of the Theravāda Pāli Canon tradition. This is a Vinaya text concerning rules of conduct and the adjustment of the mental attitude of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs while living in the Sangha. The sutta was taught to educate those who have gone forth about how to manage the mind, especially the tendency to notice the faults of others.
The historical background of this sutta is connected with situations arising in the community, when some disciples of the Buddha tended to see or point out the mistakes, shortcomings, or limitations of fellow practitioners. The Buddha saw that this action, if not properly regulated, would give rise to conflict, division in the mind, and weakening of the Sangha's unity. From this, he taught the importance of managing the mind when encountering faults or imperfections in others.
Main Content
The title "Ujjhānasaññī" (ujjhāna = displeasure, criticism; saññī = one who perceives or thinks) refers to the mental state of one who tends to criticize and perceive faults. This sutta reminds us that a bhikkhu should not deliberately seek out or dwell upon the defects of others. This is not because others have no faults, for all in this world have limitations, but because raising one's hand to criticize will defile one's own mind.
The sutta emphasizes that in the Sangha, when we encounter improper conduct or faults in fellow practitioners, we must clearly distinguish: do we have the responsibility to point them out, as teachers do or when we have a specific responsibility, or is this only a subjective tendency to display our own authority or independence?
If one is not careful, the act of "finding fault" becomes a view, an obsession, and causes loss of concentration and compassion.
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