Lzh Sarv Bu Pm Pc 13Evasive Speech
Pāli / Sanskrit:Aññavādaka
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The Discourse on Evasive Speech (Aññavādaka)
Background
The Aññavādaka Sutta belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Pātimokkha, the broad code of rules for the Buddhist Sangha. This text records one of the Pācittiya offenses, an ethical transgression that requires confession in the Pātimokkha recitation in order to be purified.
The background from which the text arose comes from events in the community of monks and nuns while the Buddha was still alive. Some monks or nuns had the habit of speaking evasively, avoiding directness when criticized or questioned about their faults. Instead of acknowledging and confessing the offense (nissaggiya), they tried to deny it through indirect forms of speech, obscure wording, or confused replies. This conduct was regarded as lacking sincerity in practice, worsening the offense, and disturbing the monastic community.
Main Content
The Aññavādaka Sutta states that if a monk or nun is criticized about an improper action or word, and when directly asked, "Did you do this?" speaks evasive words such as "I do not know," "It was not me," "Perhaps so," or other vague replies, then this conduct is a Pācittiya offense.
The distinctive point of this offense lies in the intentional concealment. Not every expression of uncertainty is considered an offense; rather, the speech must be clearly uttered for the purpose of escaping responsibility or hiding the truth. The rule applies to monks and nuns who have taken refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha and have committed themselves to observing the discipline.
The consequence of the offense is that the monk or nun must live with self-reproach and the suffering of conscience until making sincere confession before the whole Sangha. This not only helps purify karmically, but also restores the community’s trust in the offender.
Practical Meaning
The Aññavādaka Sutta teaches that honesty and transparency are the foundation of the life of practice.
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