Xct Mu Bu Vb Pc 4Reopening a Legal Issue
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ukkoṭana
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Explanation of the Ukkoṭana Sutta (Reopening a Legal Issue)
Context
The Ukkoṭana Sutta is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, in the Pācittiya section, offenses requiring confession. It is an essential part of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha, the religious code governing the lives of bhikkhus in the Buddhist Sangha.
Ukkoṭana means “reopening” or “bringing up again,” referring to cases in which a legal issue that has been decided may be reconsidered. This context arose from practical needs in the religious community: not every matter is fully resolved the first time, and new facts may require an earlier decision to be reviewed. This sutta addresses the conditions and procedure for lawfully reopening a matter that has already been handled, reflecting flexibility and fairness in the Vinaya system.
Main Content
In the Vinaya, when bhikkhus in a community (Sangha) gather to discuss and decide on a disciplinary or legal matter, that decision is considered valid. However, the Vinaya recognizes that new situations may arise, or additional evidence may be discovered, and this may affect the accuracy of the original decision.
The Ukkoṭana Sutta states that a matter already settled may be reopened if there are valid reasons. This is not arbitrary, but follows certain principles. Ordinarily, reopening requires the agreement of the Sangha or significant new evidence. In addition, a matter cannot be reopened indefinitely; there must be a reasonable timeframe, and there must be proper reason to think that the earlier decision was not entirely fair or was not based on a complete foundation of truth.
The Vinaya also states that when a matter is reopened, the same formal procedures must be followed as when it was first handled. Formality and legality are core elements ensuring that the process does not become an instrument for conflict or manipulation.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.