If he has not been charged with evasive speech, but he is being examined in the midst of the Sangha about an action that was the basis for an offense or about the class of an offense, and he then speaks evasively because he does not want to talk about it or reveal it, saying,

“Who has committed an offense? What offense was committed? In regard to what was it committed? How was it committed? Who are you talking about? What are you talking about?” then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he has not been charged with harassment, but he is being examined in the midst of the Sangha about an action that was the basis for an offense or about the class of an offense, and he then harasses the Sangha by remaining silent because he does not want to talk about it or reveal it, then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he has been charged with evasive speech, and he is being examined in the midst of the Sangha about an action that was the basis for an offense or about the class of an offense, and he then speaks evasively because he does not want to talk about it or reveal it, saying, “Who has committed an offense? What offense was committed? In regard to what was it committed? How was it committed? Who are you talking about? What are you talking about?” then he commits an offense entailing confession. If he has been charged with harassment, and he is being examined in the midst of the Sangha about an action that was the basis for an offense or about the class of an offense, and he then harasses the Sangha by remaining silent because he does not want to talk about it or reveal it, then he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and he perceives it as such, and he speaks evasively or he harasses, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but he is unsure of it, and he speaks evasively or he harasses, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but he perceives it as illegitimate, and he speaks evasively or he harasses, 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 asks because he does not know; if he does not speak because he is sick; if he does not speak because he thinks there will be quarrels or disputes in the Sangha; if he does not speak because he thinks there will be a fracture or schism in the Sangha; if he does not speak because he thinks the legal procedure will be illegitimate, done by an incomplete assembly, or done to one who does not deserve a legal procedure; if he is insane; if he is the first offender. The training rule on speaking evasively, the second, is finished.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Great Analysis The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on plants Complaining

Origin story First substory