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an.10.33 Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses)

Adjudication

“Bhante, how many qualities should a bhikkhu possess to be agreed upon to adjudicate in a disciplinary issue?”

“A bhikkhu who possesses ten qualities, Upāli, may be agreed upon to adjudicate in a disciplinary issue. What ten? (1) Here, a bhikkhu is virtuous; he dwells restrained by the Pātimokkha, possessed of good conduct and resort, seeing danger in minute faults. Having undertaken the training rules, he trains in them. (2) He has learned much, remembers what he has learned, and accumulates what he has learned. Those teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing, which proclaim the perfectly complete and pure spiritual life—such teachings as these he has learned much of, retained in mind, recited verbally, investigated mentally, and penetrated well by view. (3) Both Pātimokkhas have been well transmitted to him in detail, well analyzed, well mastered, well determined in terms of the rules and their detailed explication. (4) He is firm in the discipline, immovable. (5) He is able to convince those on both sides of the issue, to describe matters to them, to persuade them, to demonstrate to them, and to placate them. (6) He is skilled in the origination and settlement of disciplinary issues. (7) He knows what a disciplinary issue is. (8) He knows the origin of a disciplinary issue. (9) He knows the cessation of a disciplinary issue. (10) He knows the way leading to the cessation of a disciplinary issue. A bhikkhu who possesses these ten qualities may be agreed upon to adjudicate in a disciplinary issue.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

A Judge

“Sir, how many qualities should a mendicant have to be agreed on as a judge?”
“Upāli, a mendicant should have ten qualities to be agreed on as a judge.
What ten?
It’s when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.
They’re very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reinforcing them by recitation, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.
Both monastic codes have been passed down to them in detail, well analyzed, well mastered, well judged in both the rules and accompanying material.
They’re firm and unfaltering in the training.
When there are opposing parties, they’re able to persuade, advocate, and convince them, make them see the other side and trust each other.
They’re skilled in raising and settling disciplinary issues.
They know what a disciplinary issue is.
They know how a disciplinary issue originates.
They know how a disciplinary issue ceases.
They know the practical way leading to the cessation of a disciplinary issue.
A mendicant should have these ten qualities to be agreed on as a judge.”