The monks of few desires complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Channa speak evasively when examined about an offense in the midst of the Sangha?”… “Is it true, Channa, that you did this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked him … “Foolish man, how could you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking him … he gave a teaching and addressed the monks: “Well then, monks, the Sangha should charge Channa with evasive speech. And he is to be charged like this. A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The monk Channa speaks evasively when examined about an offense in the midst of the Sangha. If the Sangha is ready, it should charge the monk Channa with evasive speech. This is the motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The monk Channa speaks evasively when examined about an offense in the midst of the Sangha. The Sangha is charging the monk Channa with evasive speech. Any monk who approves of charging the monk Channa with evasive speech should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has charged the monk Channa with evasive speech. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I will remember it thus.’” After rebuking Channa in many ways, the Buddha spoke in dispraise of being difficult to support … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Preliminary ruling ‘If a monk speaks evasively, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second substory