BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Adhikaraṇa-samatha Chapter 11What follows is a more detailed discussion of how these principles and proceduresapply in each of the four cases:Disputes are heated disagreements over what the Buddha did and did not teach, or— in the words of the Cullavagga — "when bhikkhus dispute, saying: 'It is Dhamma,' or 'It is not Dhamma;' 'It is Vinaya,' or 'It is not Vinaya;' 'It was spoken by the Tath gata,' or 'It was not spoken by the Tath gata;' 'It was regularly practiced by the Tath gata,' or 'It was not regularly practicedby the Tath gata;' 'It was formulated by the Tath gata,' or 'It was not formulated by theTath gata;' 'It is an offense,' or 'It is not an offense;' 'It is a light offense,' or 'It is a heavy offense;' 'It is an offense leaving a remainder (§),' or 'It is an offense leaving noremainder (§);' 'It is a serious offense,' or 'It is not a serious offense.' "Any strife, quarreling, contention, dispute, differing opinions, opposingopinions, antagonistic words, abusiveness based on this is called a disputeissue."— Cv.IV.14.2Thus not all disagreements on these matters are classed as issues. Friendlydisagreements or differences of interpretation aren't; heated and abusivedisagreements are.The Buddha advises that a bhikkhu who wants to bring up such questions fordiscussion should first consider five points:1) whether it is the right time for such a discussion;2) whether it concerns something true;3) whether it is connected with the goal;4) whether he will be able to get on his side bhikkhus who value the Dhammaand Vinaya; and5) whether the question will give rise to strife, quarreling, disputes, cracks andsplits in the Community.If the answer to the first four questions is Yes, and to the fifth question No (i.e., thediscussion is not likely to lead to strife), he may then go ahead and start thediscussion. Otherwise, he should let the matter rest for the time being (Cv.IX.4).463