Bi As 22. Resolution through Recollection
Pāli / Sanskrit:Sativinaya
If a nun is known for her clarity of memory, any accusations against her may be settled through that nun declaring her innocence based on her memory of the relevant events.
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SATIVINAYA SUTTA: RESOLVING DISPUTES THROUGH MINDFULNESS
Background
The Sativinaya (Pāli: Sati + Vinaya, meaning "Discipline through Recollection") belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition, which establishes the rules of conduct for the fourfold community of the Buddha's disciples. In the history of communal practice, disputes and accusations among bhikkhunīs (nuns) were unavoidable. In order to maintain harmony and fairness within the Saṅgha, the Buddha provided various methods for resolving such disputes in a reasonable and just manner. This text focuses on one of those important methods: the use of mindfulness (sati) as evidence to illuminate the truth.
Sati here is not merely ordinary memory, but rather "sati" — the capacity for clear, discerning recollection, cultivated through the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path. A nun renowned for possessing this quality of lucid recollection becomes a credible witness in situations requiring the clarification of truth.
Main Content
The text establishes that when an accusation or dispute arises concerning the actions or words of a certain nun, if the accused nun is known for the accuracy and clarity of her recollection, she has the right to declare her innocence on the basis of recollection (smṛti) — clear remembrance of the relevant events. This is not an unsupported assertion, but a form of verification recognized by the Dharma.
This method reflects a profound principle: within a community of practice, the reputation and integrity of an individual are built over time, through consistent and upright conduct. One who has demonstrated trustworthiness through years of practice is accorded the right to defend her honor by means of that very evidence of clear recollection. This is not a matter of granting privilege to any particular individual, but rather of acknowledging the fruits of practice — sati is regarded as one of the five spiritual faculties (indriyāni) that must be developed in order to attain enlightenment.
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