Xct Mu Bu Pm As 4Majority Decision

THE DISCOURSE ON MAJORITY DECISION (YEBHUYYASIKĀ)

Background

The Discourse on Majority Decision belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Early Buddhist Theravāda tradition and is part of the collections of Buddhist disciplinary rules. In the context of the early Buddhist monastic community, disputes and disagreements concerning the teaching and discipline often occurred. To maintain harmony and order in the Sangha (the community of those gone forth), the Buddha prescribed methods for resolving disputes justly and carefully.

Yebhuyyasikā (from yebhuyyā, "majority") is one of the traditional methods for resolving issues connected with discipline and doctrine. This method reflects a relative democratic principle within the monastic community, where unity is formed through the majority opinion of eligible members.

Main Content

The Discourse on Majority Decision states that when the Sangha needs to make a decision on disciplinary or doctrinal matters - such as imposing a penalty on a member who has transgressed, confirming a teaching, or resolving a dispute between groups of monastics - the lawful method is to conduct a vote and follow the opinion of the majority.

However, this is not an arbitrary decision. For a decision to be regarded as lawful and valid, it must follow certain conditions: the number of participating monastics must be sufficient, they must be qualified practitioners (legitimate bhikkhus), and the voting procedure must be carried out solemnly and transparently. The decision of the majority, when properly made, becomes the decision of the whole Sangha.

This discourse also emphasizes that once the majority has made a decision, all members of the community, including those who hold different opinions, must follow it. This compliance is an expression of discipline and harmony in the Sangha - a core factor in preserving the Dharma.