The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the monks from the group of six disparage the Monastic Law?” … “Is it true, monks, that you do this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how can you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling ‘When the Monastic Code is being recited, if a monk says, “What’s the point of reciting these minor training rules, when they just lead to anxiety, oppression, and annoyance?” then in disparaging the training rules, 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. When the Monastic Code is being recited: when reciting it, when having it recited, or when practicing it. Says: “What’s the point of reciting these minor training rules, when they just lead to anxiety, oppression, and annoyance?” If he disparages the Monastic Law to one who is fully ordained, saying, “Those who learn this will be anxious,” “They will feel oppressed,” “They will be annoyed;” “Those who don’t learn this won’t be anxious,” “They won’t feel oppressed,” “They won’t be annoyed;” “It’s better left unrecited,” “It’s better left unlearned,” “It’s better left unstudied,” “It’s better left unmastered;” “May the Monastic Law disappear, or may these monks remain ignorant,” then he commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations