San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Pc 12Complaining
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ujjhāpanaka
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Ujjhāpanaka Sutta (The Sutta on Complaining)
Background
The Ujjhāpanaka Sutta belongs to the Pātimokkha of the Theravāda Vinaya Piṭaka, in the Pācittiya class, rules that require confession. These are rules concerning the conduct of bhikkhunīs and bhikkhus, intended to maintain discipline and harmony in the Sangha. The background to the arising of this rule is connected with specific situations in which the Buddha’s disciples still committed faults in conduct and communication.
According to the Pāli Canon tradition, the Pācittiya rules are not absolute prohibitions like the Pārājika or Saṅghādisesa rules, but conditions of training meant to discipline the mind and conduct. If violated, the renunciant needs to perform confession properly before the Sangha in order to restore purity.
Main Content
The Ujjhāpanaka rule concerns the act of “complaining” or “voicing improper complaint.” Ujjhāpana means expressing dissatisfaction, complaining, or accusing in an inappropriate way. This teaching warns bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs that they should not complain about decisions of the Sangha or rules established by the Sangha, especially when such complaining is based on mistaken assumption or lacks legitimate grounds.
Specifically, if a bhikkhu complains that the Sangha has established a rule that the bhikkhu considers unfair, meaningless, or unsuitable, without actual evidence or without careful inquiry, then that bhikkhu commits a pācittiya offense. This does not mean that legitimate questions or discussion about rules are entirely forbidden, but is intended to prevent groundless criticism, or “improper complaint” (aniggaha-khaṇḍa), which may damage the harmony of the Sangha.
Practical Meaning
This rule teaches us a profound lesson about self-restraint in speech and thought.
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