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Bu Pc 73

73. The training rule on deception

73. Mohanasikkhāpada

from: The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on legitimately

73. The training rule on deception

Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the monks from the group of six were misbehaving. They said to each other, “Let’s make the other monks think that we committed these offenses because we didn’t know the rules.” Then, during the recitation of the Monastic Code, they said, “Only now did we find out that this rule too is included in the Monastic Code and comes up for recitation every half-month.”

The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, “How could the monks from the group of six say this during the recitation of the Monastic Code?” … “Is it true, monks, that you said this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how could you say this during the recitation of the Monastic Code? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling

‘During the half-monthly recitation of the Monastic Code, a monk might say, “Only now did I find out that this rule too has come down in the Monastic Code, is included in the Monastic Code, and comes up for recitation every half-month.” If other monks know that that monk has previously sat through at least two or three recitations of the Monastic Code, then that monk is not let off because of ignorance, and he is to be dealt with according to the rule. Further, he should be charged with deception: “It’s a loss for you that you don’t pay proper attention during the recitation of the Monastic Code.” And for the act of deception, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case. Half-monthly: on every observance day. During the recitation of the Monastic Code: during the reciting. Might say: after misbehaving, he thinks, “Let them think that I committed these offenses because I didn’t know the rules.” If, during the recitation of the Monastic Code, he then says, “Only now did I find out that this rule too has come down in the Monastic Code, is included in the Monastic Code, and comes up for recitation every half-month,” then he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If other monks know that the monk who wants to deceive has previously sat through at least two or three recitations of the Monastic Code, then that monk is not let off because of ignorance, and he is to be dealt with according to the rule. Further, he should be charged with deception.

“And, monks, he is to be charged like this. A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha:

‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. Monk so-and-so did not pay proper attention during the recitation of the Monastic Code. If the Sangha is ready, it should charge him with deception. This is the motion.

Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. Monk so-and-so did not pay proper attention during the recitation of the Monastic Code. The Sangha charges him with deception. Any monk who approves of charging him with deception should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up.

The Sangha has charged monk so-and-so with deception. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.’”

If he deceives, but he has not been charged with deception, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he deceives, and he has been charged with deception, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and he perceives it as legitimate, and he deceives, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but he is unsure of it, and he deceives, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but he perceives it as illegitimate, and he deceives, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but he perceives it as legitimate, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, and he perceives it as such, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if he has not heard it in full; if he has heard it fewer than two or three times in full; if he does not want to deceive; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The training rule on deception, the third, is finished.

Translation: English (Bhikkhu Brahmali). Source: SuttaCentral / Bilara (public domain, CC0).

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