Dhamma Principles › When an Accusation Is Made: The Duties of Accuser, Accused and Listeners
When an Accusation Is Made: The Duties of Accuser, Accused and Listeners
Practice

When an Accusation Is Made: The Duties of Accuser, Accused and Listeners

Codanākaṇḍaṃ

The Parivāra lays out how to handle one monk accusing another: the purpose of reproof, distinguishing what was seen, heard or merely suspected, hearing both sides, and the accused's two principles — standing in truth and not getting angry.

8 points

The Parivāra is the last book of the Vinaya Piṭaka, gathering and classifying Vinaya material in question-and-answer form and in verse. One part deals with codanā — when one monk says another has committed an offence — and how the Saṅgha should consider the matter fairly.

In a further set of verses, Upāli asks what accusation is for, and the Buddha says it is for reminding someone of a fault. This is followed by advice to the investigator: don't speak hastily, don't speak fiercely, don't provoke anger. The Codanā section then sets out how to question the accuser — whether the charge rests on what was seen, what was heard, or mere suspicion — and says how the accuser, the accused, the Saṅgha and the adjudicator should each conduct themselves.

In the Mahāsaṅgāma section, the Parivāra also teaches attention to the consistency of what a person says: whether they deny and then admit, admit and then deny, or keep shifting from one matter to another.

The details are Saṅgha procedure, but the thinking applies well to handling complaints in families, schools and workplaces.

  1. 1

    Reproof is for reminding Codanā sāraṇatthāya

    Upāli asks what accusation is for, what investigation is for, what the Saṅgha is for and what the resolution is for. The Buddha says accusation is for reminding someone of the fault, the Saṅgha is there to consider the matter together, and the resolution is to bring each case to a conclusion.

    Applying it in daily life

    Before calling someone in to talk about a mistake, set the goal that by the end they see it and can put it right — not that they are humiliated in front of others.

  2. 2

    Not hasty, not fierce, not provoking anger Mā kho turito abhaṇi

    The verses tell the investigator: don't speak hastily, don't speak fiercely, don't provoke anger, don't blurt things out, don't use quarrelsome words that serve no purpose; ask about what is relevant, at the proper time, with a mind that seeks the other's welfare.

    Applying it in daily life

    When you need to ask a child or an employee about something that may be wrong, use a normal tone and open questions like "Tell me what happened."

  3. 3

    Seen, heard, or merely suspected? Kadā te diṭṭhaṃ kattha te diṭṭhaṃ

    The adjudicator should ask the accuser whether the charge is based on what was seen, what was heard, or suspicion. If seen: what did you see, how, when, where? Where were you, and what were you doing? If heard: what did you hear, when, where, and from whom?

    Applying it in daily life

    When you hear damaging gossip about someone, ask the teller, "Did you see it, or who did you hear it from, and when?" If they can't say, don't pass it on.

  4. 4

    Don't trust rash statements; hear both sides Sahasā vohāraṃ mā padhāresi

    The verses say not to rely on statements blurted out by either the accused or the accuser. When the accuser says an offence was committed and the accused says it wasn't, both must be examined, and the decision made according to admission and testimony.

    Applying it in daily life

    When two children fight, hear both of them fully before deciding, and don't take at face value what is said in the heat of anger.

  5. 5

    The accused: truth and non-anger Sacce ca akuppe ca

    Asked how the accused should conduct himself, the Parivāra answers that he should stand on two things: truthfulness and not getting angry. The Mahāsaṅgāma section likewise tells the adjudicator to observe whether the accused stands on these two.

    Applying it in daily life

    When criticised, answer truthfully about what you did and didn't do wrong. Take a deep breath before replying, and don't respond by accusing the other person back.

  6. 6

    Listeners separate what is on point Otiṇṇānotiṇṇaṃ jānitabbaṃ

    Asked how the Saṅgha should conduct itself, the Parivāra answers that it should know which statements are relevant and which are not. The adjudicator should settle the matter according to the Dhamma, the Vinaya and the Teacher's instruction.

    Applying it in daily life

    In a problem-solving meeting, write the main issue on the board. When someone drags in old grievances or personal matters, bring the discussion back to the point.

  7. 7

    Notice earlier and later statements Avajānitvā vā paṭijānāti

    In the Mahāsaṅgāma section, knowing earlier and later statements means observing whether the person shifts from one matter to another or from one offence to another, denies and then admits, admits and then denies, or covers one matter with another.

    Applying it in daily life

    When an explanation keeps changing, don't rush to catch someone out. Note the sequence of what was said, then politely ask which part is the fact.

  8. 8

    The conscientious person's admission carries weight Sañcicca āpattiṃ āpajjati āpattiṃ parigūhati

    The verses say that deciding by admission applies to the conscientious (lajjī) but not to the shameless (alajjī); even if the shameless talk a great deal, one decides by the testimony. A shameless person is one who deliberately commits offences, conceals them and acts from bias; a conscientious person does none of these.

    Applying it in daily life

    If you want your word to carry weight on the day a problem arises, start today: don't do wrong deliberately, and when you slip, don't hide it.

Try it in daily life

When someone tells you another person did something wrong, a good first question is "Did you see it yourself, or did you hear it?" This simple question separates fact from rumour remarkably well. If they saw it, go on to ask what, when and where.

If you are the one accused, the accused's two principles are to speak the truth and not get angry. Both help you and the process. Anger makes us exaggerate or deny what we should admit; truth lets the matter end quickly.

If you are in the middle, don't decide on the word of whoever arrives first. Hear both sides, and separate what is on point from other issues being dragged in.

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