‘During the half-monthly recitation of the Monastic Code, a monk might say,

“Just now did I find out that this rule too has come down in the Monastic Code, is included in the Monastic Code, and comes up for recitation every half-month.” If other monks know that that monk has previously sat through at least two or three recitations of the Monastic Code, then that monk is not let off because of ignorance, and he is to be dealt with according to the rule. Further, he should be charged with deception: “It’s a loss for you that you don’t pay proper attention during the recitation of the Monastic Code.” And for the act of deception, 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. Half-monthly: on every observance day. During the recitation of the Monastic Code: during the reciting. Might say: after misbehaving, he thinks, “Let them think that I committed these offenses because I didn’t know the rules.” If, during the recitation of the Monastic Code, he then says, “Just now did I find out that this rule too has come down in the Monastic Code, is included in the Monastic Code, and comes up for recitation every half-month,” then he commits an offense of wrong conduct.