Ending Disputes

Closer To The Stars



Ways of Putting an End to Disputes
(Sapta dhikarana-shamatha-dharma)

Venerable Bhikshus, these are the Seven Ways of Putting an End to Disputes (Sapta dhikarana-shamatha-dharma), to be recited once every two weeks.

1- If a meeting of the Sangha is needed with the presence of those who are involved in the dispute so that they can talk about the injustice and suffering they have experienced, and during this meeting the Sangha can practice deep and compassionate listening in order to relieve the suffering of both sides, then let the Sangha call such a meeting to resolve the dispute.

2- If a meeting is needed to encourage those involved in the dispute to recall and tell what they have seen, heard, and thought about the dispute in the spirit of deep listening and loving speech, then let such a meeting be called to resolve the dispute.

3- If a meeting is needed to affirm that a person involved in the dispute was going through a mental crisis or illness at the time of the dispute and did not know that he was causing difficulties and making others suffer, and now that the crisis is over he still cannot remember well what happened, then let such a meeting be called to resolve the dispute.

4- If a meeting is needed to give those who are involved in the dispute an opportunity to recognize and acknowledge their own unskilfulness and lack of mindfulness, wherein one person first expresses his unskilfulness, lack of mindfulness, and regrets using loving speech, and then the other person(s) will be encouraged to do the same, helping to de-escalate the conflict, then let such a meeting be called to resolve the dispute.

5- If a meeting is needed to appoint a committee to investigate and study the causes and nature of the dispute, and after investigating this committee should present a report to the Bhikshu Sangha so that they can resolve the dispute, then let such a meeting be called to resolve the dispute.

6- If a meeting is needed to resolve the dispute by means of a majority vote, since the dispute has gone on so long unresolved, and after the decision by majority is made no one can bring the matter up again, then let such a meeting be called to resolve the dispute.

7- If a meeting in the presence of the most respected elders of the community is needed to resolve a dispute and in this meeting the elders will declare a general amnesty, encouraging everyone to use their compassion to put an end to resentment, like laying straw on the mud, then let such a meeting be called to resolve the dispute.

Venerable Bhikshus, I have finished reciting the Seven Ways of Putting an End to Disputes.

Now I am asking you: has everyone in the Sangha studied, practiced and observed these Seven Ways of Putting an End to Disputes?

(The question is asked three times.)

The Venerable Bhikshus are silent. Therefore we know that in the Sangha everyone has studied, practiced and observed these Seven Ways of Putting an End to Disputes. Let us be aware of this, recognize it, and give it our approval. (BELL)



Click: Aliens Land by 2007