Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 156Complaining About Others

PARAUJJHĀPANAKA SUTTA (THE FORCE OF COMPLAINING ABOUT OTHERS)

Background

The Paraujjhāpanaka Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, or Prātimokṣa—the list of disciplinary rules that Bhikkhus and Bhikkhunīs must observe. This sutta is drawn from conduct that violated discipline in the Sangha community, recorded in detail to educate and warn monastics about inappropriate actions.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was recorded from the judgments and instructions given by the Buddha Gotama throughout the fifty years of his teaching. Each rule arose from specific circumstances: when Bhikkhus performed unworthy actions, the Buddha then established rules to prevent similar conduct from recurring. This approach ensures that every rule has a practical basis, not empty theory.

Main Content

The term “Paraujjhāpanaka” (Pāli) is understood as complaining, grumbling, or making accusations about another person—especially false and evasive speech meant to damage the honor or reputation of a fellow practitioner. This is not merely reminding or instructing someone, but a deliberate act of saying untruths or exaggerating another person’s faults in order to create a negative effect.

The sutta states a fundamental principle: a Bhikkhu is not permitted to speak evasively or repeat inaccurate matters about another Bhikkhu, especially in order to diminish that person’s reputation before the Sangha or in the eyes of others. This act is regarded as a violation of truthfulness (sacca) and independence (atta)—two basic factors of Buddhism.

This rule also clearly distinguishes between reporting the truth about another person’s fault for the purpose of corrective training and complaining with the deliberate intention of causing harm.