Mpt Sk 70Finding Fault
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ujjhānasaññī
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UJJHĀNASAÑÑĪ SUTTA (FINDING FAULT)
Background
Ujjhānasaññī is an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka in the Early Buddhist tradition. This sutta is found in the Sutta Vibhaṅga, the section that explains in detail the precepts for monks and nuns. The original Pāli title “Ujjhānasaññī” means “the perception that others will criticize” or “the mentality of finding fault,” reflecting a mental attitude that needs correction in the community of practice.
The background of this sutta concerns disputes and conflicts that arose in the Sangha. When monastics gather together, misunderstandings, agitation, and especially the tendency to search for one another’s faults can easily arise. Therefore Buddha Śākyamuni gave clear instructions on how to preserve harmony, cleanse the mind, and avoid actions that undermine unity.
Main Content
The Ujjhānasaññī Sutta focuses on warning monks and nuns not to carry the mentality of “finding fault” (ujjhāna-saññī) in relationships with fellow practitioners. When someone constantly thinks, “That person will criticize me,” or continually searches for others’ defects, this is an unwholesome mental state that creates suspicion, dislike, and division.
The sutta teaches that this is contrary to the four brahmavihāras — the four immeasurable states (mettā, karuṇā, muditā, upekkhā), namely loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. A monk who truly practices should renew his mind, remove unfounded suspicious thoughts, and instead cultivate trust and goodwill toward the Sangha.
The sutta also makes clear that if there are actual violations of the precepts that need to be handled, they must be addressed through the formal procedures of the Sangha, not through personal speculation or indirect speech. The purity of the Sangha is protected not by the mentality of finding fault, but by adherence to the Dharma and correct practice.
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