Lzh Dg Bu Pm Pc 12Evasive Speech
Pāli / Sanskrit:Aññavādaka
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Aññavādaka Sutta (Evasive Speech)
Background
The Aññavādaka Sutta appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the basic training rules for bhikkhus. The background of this sutta concerns the handling of disciplinary violations within the Sangha.
This teaching was given when the Buddha saw that some bhikkhus, when criticized or accused regarding actions not in accordance with the Dharma, did not acknowledge them directly. Instead, they used roundabout, evasive, or dishonest denials. This conduct is called "aññavādaka," that is, speaking of something else, evading by turning aside or concealing the truth.
The Vinaya Piṭaka arose to protect the purity of the Sangha and guide bhikkhus in proper practice. Therefore, dealing with behavior that evades responsibility is considered a serious matter in the disciplinary management of the community.
Main Content
The Aññavādaka Sutta teaches that when a bhikkhu is questioned about his actions, whether lying, harming others, or violating prohibitions in the Pātimokkha, his responsibility is to acknowledge the truth clearly and honestly.
Evasive speech (aññavāda) is defined as statements that intentionally alter or distort the facts. These are not statements protected under the Vinaya; they are regarded as deceitful behavior lacking sincerity. A bhikkhu should not try to conceal faults by:
Denying events confirmed by the testimony of members of the Sangha; lying or causing confusion about the nature of an act; or quoting unrelated portions of scripture in an attempt to prove himself right when in fact he is not.
The sutta emphasizes that truthfulness and diligence are core qualities of a true bhikkhu. Evasive speech that turns aside is an expression of a state of mind unwilling to reform, a sign that the person is trying to conceal his true intention.
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