Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Dh Pc 13Evasive Speech

The Discourse on Evasive Speech (Aññavādaka)

Background

The Aññavādaka discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, one of the three principal divisions of the Pāli Canon in the Early Buddhist tradition. The regulations in the Vinaya Piṭaka were recorded for the purpose of guiding the monastic community to maintain purity in virtue and practice. The term “Aññavādaka” means “other speech” or “evasive speech,” indicating an attitude of avoidance and lack of frankness when questioned about faults or improper conduct.

In the context of the early monastic community, as the Buddha built the Sangha, one major challenge was how to handle internal disputes and subtle inappropriate conduct. This discourse arose from specific situations in which some monastics were criticized for their actions, but instead of confessing or clarifying the facts, they used slippery and evasive speech to escape responsibility.

Main Content

The Aññavādaka discourse identifies “evasive speech” in the Vinaya context as conduct not in accord with the Vinaya. Specifically, when a monastic is asked to confess or explain an action that may violate the Pāṭimokkha, the main disciplinary rules, using vague, indirect, or deliberately ambiguous replies is unacceptable.

This rule requires sincerity and transparency in the Sangha community. When a question is asked, a monastic must answer clearly: yes or no, or explain the truth directly. Such evasion is not only a failure to acknowledge responsibility, but also undermines the foundation of trust and transparency in the Sangha.

This regulation is closely connected with the principle of Sambhatti Paṭipadā, the way of harmony within the Sangha. Frank and direct communication is not for punishment, but for protecting and elevating the common ethics of the community of practice.

Practical Meaning

In modern practice, the Aññavādaka discourse teaches us that integrity (sacca) is not only not lying, but also being straightforward in awareness of oneself.