Disputes

When the Buddha went to reside at Ghositaaraama in the city of Kosambi, he found a dispute had arisen between the bhikkhus there. One group of monks under a Vinaya expert had accused the Dhamma expounder leader (of another group) of a minor wrong doing offence. The Dhamma expounder bhikkhu would not admit to this so dissension arose between the two groups. (See also Strictness and Blaming Others.) Even when the Lord Buddha pointed out to both groups the dangers in this and how to put matters to right, they still could not agree. So the Lord Buddha left them and went to reside by himself in the Rakkhitavan Forest.

The lay people of Kosambi blamed the quarreling bhikkhus for causing the Buddha to go away and in consequence they agreed together not to pay respect to those bhikkhus. When the bhikkhus came to their houses, they would not give alms food, desiring them to go away, disrobe, or else return to the way of practice pleasing to the Lord Buddha. After this treatment, both groups of bhikkhus came to their senses and agreed to see the Lord Buddha where the dispute was properly resolved. (See EV,III,p.129)

A set of formal procedures are set down to resolve disputes within the Community. They are summarized in the Adhikara.nasamatha rules, the last seven of the 227 Rules of the Paa.timokkha. (See Appendix B, Communal Harmony)