Xct Mu Bi Pm Ss 19Difficult to Correct

Dubbaca Sutta (Difficult to Correct)

Background

The Dubbaca Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, specifically in the Suttavibhaṅga of the Bhikkhu Vinaya. These are regulations related to the discipline of the Buddhist Sangha, intended to maintain purity and harmony in the monastic community.

This discourse was composed when the Buddha saw monks whose behaviors were difficult to correct or whose tendencies were hard to heal. These behaviors affected not only the individual but also the whole Sangha. Therefore, the Buddha established specific rules to handle such cases fairly and wisely.

The general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka is the historical recording of rules that arose from specific events in the life of the early Sangha. Each Patimokkha rule has an origin story (Atthakatha) explaining its cause and purpose.

Main Content

The Dubbaca Sutta deals with cases of monks whose behavior is difficult to correct (dubbaca). The term "dubbaca" literally means "hard to correct" or "hard to teach," referring to conduct not easily changed or to rigid tendencies unwilling to accept correction.

According to the spirit of the Vinaya, when a monk has behavior or an attitude unwilling to accept correction, such as rejecting advice, stubbornly remaining in faults, or continuing to act contrary to the teaching, the Sangha has the responsibility to intervene. Methods of intervention may include verbal admonition (tejana), requesting correction (paññatti), or in more serious cases, applying disciplinary measures such as Sammukhīna-vinaya, discipline in one's presence, or Sativinaya, discipline by recollection.

The key point is that the Sangha should not abandon the correction of a difficult-to-teach monk, but should be patient and wise in efforts to educate him. However, if that monk resolutely refuses to follow the advice of the Sangha or the Buddha, then other measures may be considered according to the rules.