Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pc 88Whispering With Monk
Pāli / Sanskrit:Whispering with monk
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Discourse on Whispering with a Bhikkhu
Explanation According to the Pāli Canon
Background
The discourse on Whispering with a Bhikkhu is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, the rules of practice and legal discipline of the Saṅgha community. This code is not merely a dry set of prohibitions, but guidance for bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs to maintain pure discipline, thereby creating conditions for the attainment of nirvāṇa.
In the context of the early Saṅgha community, problems arising from unwise conduct among members were resolved by the Buddha and the elders through legal decisions. This discourse concerns the act of whispering, a form of indirect, suggestive, or intentionally divisive communication among bhikkhus. It is a subtle matter because it concerns intention and impure ways of influencing others.
Main Content
The act of "whispering" is understood as when a bhikkhu speaks with another person, often another bhikkhu, in an indirect, ambiguous manner, or with the aim of creating division and ill will in the Saṅgha community. This is not straightforward speech, but subtle yet harmful exchange that may cause misunderstanding, dispute, or break the harmony among members.
According to the Pātimokkha Vinaya, the basic rules, this conduct is considered a Pāyantika (Pācittiya) offense, one requiring confession before the Saṅgha community. This reflects the Buddha’s view that the speech of a bhikkhu should be direct, truthful (sacca), compassionate (mettā), and aimed at the welfare of beings and of the Dharma.
The discourse emphasizes that communication must be carried out with clarity and responsibility. A bhikkhu should not use cunning forms of speech to influence or control others. Instead, if there is an issue needing discussion, a practitioner should face it directly, speak plainly, and resolve disputes openly and fairly.
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