Bi Ss 1111. Accusing nuns of acting from bias
Pāli / Sanskrit:Adhikaraṇakupita
A nun who persistently says that the other nuns are biased because a legal issue has not been decided to her liking is to be suspended.
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Adhikaraṇakupita: Impartiality in the Resolution of Disputes
Background
The Adhikaraṇakupita (meaning "one angered by a legal case") is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Saṃgīti, the portion of the Vinaya Piṭaka pertaining to nuns. It is a regulation concerning the handling of cases in which a nun deliberately declares that the community acted with bias when rendering a decision on a dispute, solely because that decision did not accord with her wishes.
This context arises from the Buddha's concern that, within a monastic community, impartiality and mutual trust are the foundation of spiritual development. When disputes or disagreements arise concerning the rules of training (adhikaraṇa), the community must handle them through rigorous legal procedures. However, if a member persistently asserts that the community has acted out of partiality or prejudice, this undermines trust and causes division within the Saṅgha.
Main Content
The text prescribes that if a nun persistently and repeatedly declares that other nuns have acted from bias (ananuttariyā) because a legal matter was not resolved according to her opinion, she is to be placed in a state of "suspension" (osaraṇa).
This suspension is not a formal punishment such as expulsion (pabbājana) or temporary exclusion (nikkuja), but rather a measure to protect the community from ongoing aggressive conduct. She remains within the Saṅgha but is isolated from important activities until she abandons her attitude.
The crucial point is that this text does not prohibit reasonable criticism of a decision. It targets only "persistent" statements (abhinivesa)—that is, repeated, obstinate assertions that have no factual basis. A nun must have clear evidence or a legitimate reason, and not act merely out of emotional dissatisfaction.
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