San Mu Bu Pm GBM 3 Pc 51Sending a Monastic Back from Almsround
Pāli / Sanskrit:Uyyojana
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An Explanation of the Uyyojana Text
Background
The Uyyojana text belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the Pāṭimokkha section, where the training rules for the monastic community are recorded. It is a detailed legal text concerning the act of “sending away” or “sending back” monastic members from an almsround.
The background for the arising of this text is connected with the development of the Sangha during the Buddha’s time. When bhikkhus did not observe discipline or engaged in conduct unsuitable to the life of renunciation, the Sangha needed lawful corrective measures. The act of “sending back” (uyyojana) was one of the disciplinary measures proclaimed by the Buddha in order to maintain the purity and discipline of the Sangha.
The Vinaya Piṭaka is regarded as a foundation of the Dharma, protecting the Sangha from decline and maintaining the spirit of original practice. It records the specific situations handled by the Buddha and the regulations established so later disciples could follow them.
Main Content
In the context of the daily almsround, bhikkhus often went in groups of four, five, or more to seek alms from faithful donors. During this process, some bhikkhus did not observe the spirit of practice, for example by using unsuitable speech, behaving without mindfulness, or violating rules concerning conduct toward laypeople.
The Uyyojana text states that when a bhikkhu behaves in such a way, the others in the almsround group have the right and duty to “send that person back” (uyyojana), that is, to ask him to leave the almsround group and return to the monastery or the common residence of the Sangha. This act is not bodily punishment, but a measure of spiritual discipline intended to protect the common purity of the Sangha and educate that bhikkhu.
The important point is that sending someone back must be done in accordance with the Dharma, with sufficient members of the Sangha as witnesses, and with a clear reason. It is not something one or two people may decide; it is a collective decision to ensure fairness and avoid abuse of power.
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