Xct Mu Bi Pm As 4Majority Decision

An Exposition of the Yebhuyyasikā Sutta (Majority Decision)

Context

The Yebhuyyasikā Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition and is recorded among matters related to the Sangha, the community of bhikkhus. It is one of the important methods of decision-making established by the Buddha to maintain harmony and order within the monastic community.

In the Vinaya context, the Buddha recognized that the Sangha is a community living together under shared rules, and that arising matters must be resolved through fair and reasonable methods. When disputes, differences of opinion, or matters requiring determination occurred, the Buddha taught five ways in which the Sangha could make decisions (Pañca-ñatti). The Yebhuyyasikā method, decision by majority, is one of the most basic and widely used methods.

Main Content

Decision by majority (Yebhuyyasikā) means that when the Sangha needs to determine a matter, whether related to matters of attainment and practice, disputes within the Sangha, or administrative decisions, the view of the greater number (yebhuyyā) is accepted as the final decision.

To carry out this method, the relevant bhikkhus assemble in one place. The matter is clearly presented, and each member is given the opportunity to state his view. Then they proceed to vote, through raising hands, casting ballots, or expressing approval, and the majority decides the final result. This decision is regarded as the decision of the whole Sangha, and all members must comply with it whether or not they personally agree.

This method is recorded in detail in the monastic code (Pātimokkha) and the Khandaka books of the Vinaya Piṭaka, where they describe how the Sangha applies this method to resolve matters such as verifying events related to the Sangha, decisions concerning discipline, or changes in ways of practice.