San Lo Bu Pm Pc 13Complaining

THE UJJHĀPANAKA SCRIPTURE (THE SCRIPTURE ON COMPLAINTS)

Background

Ujjhāpanaka is a disciplinary rule found in the Pātimokkha, the basic code of discipline, of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka. This scripture has its origin in events in the first community of monks and nuns, when the Buddha saw problems arising from the way monastics complained and spoke critically of one another before laypeople.

In the context of early monastic life, harmony in the Sangha was of utmost importance. However, complaints and negative stories about monastics spoken publicly not only harmed harmony but also diminished the faith of those who followed the Buddha. Therefore, the Buddha established this rule to protect the purity and honor of the Sangha.

Main Content

The Ujjhāpanaka rule forbids monks and nuns from complaining, grumbling, or presenting accusations against another monk or nun in front of people outside the monastic community, especially those without faith or those belonging to opposing factions.

The prohibition does not include lawful cases, such as when it is necessary to report a breach of discipline formally in meetings of the Sangha (Sangha-samiti), where experienced monastics capable of proper judgment are present. The important distinction is between private, self-centered complaining and formal notification for the purpose of correction or maintaining discipline.

This rule also encourages monastics, if they have conflicts or disputes with one another, to resolve them directly within the monastic community according to formal procedures such as Sangha-samiti or recognized methods of reconciliation, rather than allowing these conflicts to spread outside.

Practical Meaning

The Ujjhāpanaka scripture is not merely a mechanical disciplinary rule, but reflects a profound principle of the Buddha-Dharma: protecting internal harmony (Sangha-sāmaggi) is the foundation for the flourishing of the entire Teaching.