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Grammatical Analysis

Adhikaraṇasamatha: [nt.] Settlement of legal issues; resolution of disputes. Formed by adhikaraṇa (legal issue, dispute, case) + samatha (calming, settling, resolution).

Orthodox Definition

The Adhikaraṇasamatha are the seven legal principles used to settle disputes within the Saṅgha. They form the absolute conclusion of the Pātimokkha recitation. Whenever a conflict arises regarding monastic rules, doctrinal interpretations, or personal offenses, these seven methods operate as the judicial mechanisms of the order.

The seven principles are:

  1. Sammukhā-vinaya: Proceeding in the presence (of the Saṅgha, the Dhamma, the Vinaya, and the disputing parties).
  2. Sati-vinaya: Verdict of innocence based on a monk’s unblemished mindfulness (usually protecting an Arahat against false charges).
  3. Amūḷha-vinaya: Verdict of past insanity (clearing offenses committed while mentally ill).
  4. Paṭiññāya: Acting on the acknowledgment/confession of the accused.
  5. Yebhuyyasikā: Decision by majority vote using voting tickets (salākā).
  6. Tassapāpiyasikā: Specific penalization for a monk who lies, evades, or acts stubbornly during an interrogation.
  7. Tiṇavatthāraka: “Covering over with grass.” A mutual amnesty procedure where both factions confess their faults collectively to instantly bury a messy, complex dispute that threatens to cause a schism.

Quote

uppannuppannānaṃ adhikaraṇānaṃ samathāya vūpasamāya sammukhāvinayo dātabbo, sativinayo dātabbo, amūḷhavinayo dātabbo, paṭiññāya kāretabbaṃ, yebhuyyasikā, tassapāpiyasikā, tiṇavatthārakoti. For the settlement and suppression of disputes that have arisen, the adjudication in the presence of the parties (sammukhāvinaya) should be given, the adjudication of mindfulness (sativinaya) should be given, the adjudication of unbewilderment (amūḷhavinaya) should be given, decision by admission (paṭiññāya kāretabbaṃ), decision by majority (yebhuyyasikā), decision of heinous offense (tassapāpiyasikā), and the covering over with grass (tiṇavatthāraka).

uddiṭṭhā kho, āyasmanto, satta adhikaraṇasamathā dhammā. The seven procedures for settling disputes, venerable sirs, have been recited.

Textual References

  • Vinaya: Cūḷavagga (Adhikaraṇasamathakkhandhaka) – The dense, highly structured legal text outlining how to apply these seven tools to the four types of legal disputes.
  • Vinaya: Suttavibhaṅga (Adhikaraṇasamatha) - The mention of the seven procedures for settling disputes.
  • Sutta: Sāmagāma Sutta (MN 104) – The Buddha teaching these seven principles to ensure the survival of the Saṅgha after his passing.
  • Commentary: Samantapāsādikā – Detailed case law on the application of these principles.

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