San Lo Bi Vb Pc 13Complaining

Explanation of the Ujjhāpanaka Text (The Text on Complaining)

Background

Ujjhāpanaka appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Sutta Vibhaṅga, the Pātimokkha section of the bhikkhunī. This is a regulation among the offenses classified as Pācittiya, faults requiring confession. The text reflects a common situation in the early Sangha, when comments or complaints about the conduct of members in the community of practice could create disharmony and fragmentation.

The historical background shows that, in the early days as Buddhism was developing, there were bhikkhus who complained about minor or major matters related to communal life. Such complaints, if not restrained, would create division and weaken the spirit of harmony in the Sangha. Therefore, the Buddha established this rule as a means of training to protect unity and harmony in the community of practitioners.

Main Content

The Ujjhāpanaka rule forbids bhikkhus from voicing complaints or public grievances about minor matters, especially those related to the disciplinary rules, without first trying to resolve them privately or through appropriate channels. If a bhikkhu complains publicly, creating dissatisfaction among members of the Sangha, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

The important point here is to distinguish between a legitimate grievance raised according to proper procedure and undisciplined complaining. If there is a genuine problem, the bhikkhu should contact those responsible or follow the rules of the Sangha for handling it. Public complaining without a proper basis or occasion is an act harmful to harmony.

This rule also reflects the principle of right speech (sammā vācā), a part of the Noble Eightfold Path. Speech must be true, but the way of speaking must also be appropriate to the time, manner, and listener in order to avoid unnecessary harm.