Bi Pc 109109. Complaining
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ujjhāpanaka
A nun who criticizes or denounces an official of the Order must confess the offense.
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Commentary on the Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 109: Ujjhāpanaka (Complaining)
Background
The rule Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 109 is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha. This rule arose from a particular situation within the community of nuns during the time of the Buddha, when certain nuns were given to complaining and publicly criticizing those leaders responsible for managing the affairs of the Saṅgha. Such public criticism not only gave rise to internal conflict but also disturbed the discipline and undermined the harmony of the Saṅgha.
In the context of spiritual practice, the preservation of harmony and mutual respect is of the utmost importance. When nuns openly complained about or criticized the officers (nyanāyikā, those who manage the affairs of the Saṅgha), this not only reflected a lack of respect but also sowed division within the community of practitioners. For this reason, the Buddha established this rule as a means of cultivating virtue and safeguarding spiritual discipline.
Main Content
According to Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 109, any nun who criticizes, complains about, or publicly censures (ujjhāpanaka) an officer of the Saṅgha must confess this offense. Ujjhāpanaka denotes the act of expressing dissatisfaction, lodging a complaint, or making a public criticism with the intent to create disharmony. This does not refer to private opinions or careful, constructive dialogue, but rather to public complaints made with the intent to inflame a matter.
Nuns must recognize that even when such criticisms may be partially justified, the method of public complaint still constitutes a transgression. The acknowledgment of the offense (āpatti) is the standard this rule establishes. It requires nuns to employ mindful speech (dhammayoga) and to respect the dispute-resolution mechanisms within the Saṅgha, rather than resorting to public opinion or open censure.
This rule does not prohibit respectful discussion or the offering of suggestions for improvement when done privately or through appropriate channels.
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