Xct Mu Bi Pc 157Cursing Another

SUTRA ON REBUKING ANOTHER (PARAABHISAPANA)

Background

In the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, the Paraabhisapana (Rebuking Another) is recorded to instruct the community of bhikkhus on the consequences of wrong speech. The Xct Mu Bi Pc 157 belongs to the section of regulations on ethical offenses (pātimokkha) in the Suttavibhaṅga, where the Buddha and elder disciples establish principles of harmonious conduct within the Sangha.

A disciple of the Buddha practices not only through control of body and mind, but must also be careful with speech. This text highlights the problem of abusive language, especially the act of criticizing, insulting, or cursing another, things that violate the spirit of compassion and create division in the community.

Main Content

Paraabhisapana concerns the act of insulting or cursing (abhisapana) another person, especially in the context of members of the Sangha. This act is considered wrong because it directly violates the third of the basic Five Precepts, not lying, and more deeply, it reflects a mind polluted by anger, greed, or delusion.

From the Theravāda perspective, wrong speech has three characteristics: (1) it is not true, or if it is true, the manner of speaking is not appropriate to the time and context; (2) it harms the listener; (3) it arises from an unwholesome mind. When someone insults another, whether to criticize a fault or out of anger, that speech creates harmful effects in three ways: it wounds feelings, breaks unity, and leaves seeds of wrong view and anger-delusion in the mind of the speaker.

This text emphasizes that even when criticism has a basis, the manner and the mental energy behind it are also very important. A bhikkhu should use speech to teach and advise gently, with loving-kindness (mettā), not to insult or belittle another. This is the difference between right speech (sammā vācā) in the Noble Eightfold Path and wrong speech.