Bi Pc 9898. Abusive speech
Pāli / Sanskrit:Omasavāda
A nun who verbally abuses another nun must confess the offense.
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Commentary on Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 98: Omasavāda (Abusive Speech)
Background
The Original Buddha-Dharma establishes the Monastic Discipline (Vinaya) for monks and nuns as a foundation for spiritual cultivation and the maintenance of harmony within the community of monastics. Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 98 is one rule within the Sutta Vibhaṅga—the seven hundred rules for bhikkhunīs, female monastics. These rules are not arbitrary prohibitions, but guidelines grounded in specific situations that the Buddha addressed through his teaching.
This rule concerns the matter of abusive speech—a transgression falling under the category of Pācittiya, that is, offenses requiring public confession. When a bhikkhunī speaks words that are insulting, offensive, or harshly critical toward another bhikkhunī, the harm done is not merely personal; it also disrupts the peace and unity of the Sangha. For this reason, the Buddha-Dharma stipulates that confession must be made in order to restore trust and harmony.
Main Content
According to Omasavāda, a bhikkhunī who loudly speaks words that are insulting, critical, or denigrating toward another bhikkhunī—particularly words that are personal in nature and cause mental distress—incurs an offense under this Pācittiya rule. "Omasavāda" (from "oma"—harsh, low; "vāda"—speech) refers to speech that is forceful, coarse, or carried with ill will.
The crucial points are intention and impact. If words are offered as constructive criticism intended to help another correct a mistake, or if they constitute a necessary admonition within the context of practice, this is a different matter. However, when speech is aimed at belittling, humiliating, or causing suffering without just cause, it constitutes a transgression requiring confession (āpatti).
Confession (paṭidesanā) is the first step toward restoration. The bhikkhunī must acknowledge her fault before another bhikkhunī or before the assembly, expressing genuine remorse. This is not a mere formality, but a refined process for reestablishing trust and wholesome character within the monastic community.
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