BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Buddhist Monastic Code 1questioned. The Sub-commentary agrees and gives an entertaining example of itsown:"Have you committed this offense?""I've been to Pāṭaliputta.""But we're not asking about your going to Pāṭaliputta. We're asking about anoffense.""From there I went to Rājagaha.""Well, Rājagaha or Brahmaṇāgaha, did you commit the offense?""I got some pork there."As for causing frustration:"Now at a later time Ven. Channa, being examined about an offense in the midst ofthe Community, (thinking), 'By evading one question with another, I will fall into anoffense,' remained silent and frustrated the Community."Thus, the texts say, causing frustration means remaining silent when being formallyquestioned in the midst of the Community.Intention. This factor is fulfilled only if one's motive is to conceal one's ownoffenses. If one has other motives for remaining silent, or speaking not to the pointwhile being questioned, there is no penalty. For example, there is no offense for abhikkhu who, when being examined,asks questions or gives answers not to the point because he does notunderstand what is being said,is too ill to speak,feels that in speaking he will create conflict or dissension in the Community,orfeels that the Community will carry out its transactions unfairly or not inaccordance with the rule.Object. If a bhikkhu speaks evasively or remains silent out of a desire to conceal hisoffenses, he incurs a dukkaṭa. If the Community sees fit, it may then bring a formalcharge of evasive speech or causing frustration against him in order to restrain himfrom persisting in such behavior. If he then continues speaking evasively orremaining silent, he incurs a pācittiya.Perception is not a factor here. Once a formal charge of evasive speech or causingfrustration has been rightfully brought against a bhikkhu, and he continues to speakevasively or remain silent, he incurs a pācittiya regardless of whether he sees thecharge as rightful or not. If the charge has been wrongfully brought against him,268