Xct Mu Bi Pc 156Complaining About Others

Paraujjhāpanaka Sutra: On Complaining About One Another

Background

The Paraujjhāpanaka (Vietnamese: “On complaining about one another”) is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, in the monastic rules section (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga), the profound teaching that guides the monastic community in preserving ethics and harmony. The text belongs to the context of minor Pātimokkha offenses, subtle violations in speech and action that a monk may commit.

Complaining about others, also called “paraujjhāpana” (para = another; ujjhāpana = complaining, accusing), arises from negative mental states such as anger, jealousy, or delusion. This is an act capable of undermining trust and unity in the Sangha, the precious sixfold harmony of the monastic community.

Main Content

In the context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, the act of complaining about one another is regarded as an offense that a monk needs to acknowledge frankly and confess. The specific content of this text has not been fully translated, but according to the general context of the Vinaya Piṭaka, complaining is usually understood as speaking ill of fellow monastics or inciting conflict among members of the Sangha.

The Blessed Buddha taught that monks should avoid as much as possible speech that harms collective harmony. Instead, when conflict occurs, a monastic should:

First, confess inwardly and make diligent effort in practice in order to transform negative mental states within himself. Second, if it is necessary to complain or accuse another of wrongdoing, he must do so openly and courteously, with the purpose of instruction, not revenge or destruction. Third, he should always remember the positive qualities and virtues of others, in order to restore balance in the mind.

Practical Meaning

The Paraujjhāpanaka reminds each monastic of their responsibility in preserving the Sangha.