San Sarv Bu Pm Finot Ss 8Making a Groundless Accusation Out of Anger
Pāli / Sanskrit:Duṭṭhadosa
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Sutta on Making a Groundless Accusation Out of Anger
Background
This sutta is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the collection of rules for monastic practice and discipline within the Buddhist Sangha. The Pāli term "Duṭṭhadosa" is translated as "malicious anger" or "accusation born of anger," reflecting a particularly grave ethical act: condemning or accusing another monk without genuine grounds, solely because the mind is dominated by hatred (dosa).
The Vinaya Piṭaka was established in response to specific events within the early Sangha. When monks transgressed or engaged in inappropriate conduct, the Buddha would promulgate rules to correct and prevent such behavior. The sutta concerning the offense of "Duṭṭhadosa" is one of the most significant of these rules, intended to protect the monastic community from false accusations and to preserve the spirit of harmony.
Main Content
According to the Vinaya Piṭaka, the act of making a groundless accusation out of hatred is regarded as a grave offense. This occurs when a monk, overcome by dosa—one of the three unwholesome roots (akusala-mūla)—declares or charges that another monk has committed a serious offense, when in fact there is no basis or evidence whatsoever for such a claim.
The ethical problem here is threefold: first, it reflects an impure mind (akusala-citta)—a mind dominated by anger; second, it causes direct harm to the reputation and well-being of the one accused; and third, it undermines trust and solidarity within the Sangha.
The sutta stipulates that anyone who gives expression to anger by accusing another without genuine evidence must bear the corresponding monastic penalties. The degree of punishment depends on the nature of the offense: ranging from a requirement to make a public apology and temporary exclusion, to complete separation from the monastic community in cases of repeated transgression.
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