San Sarv Bu Pm Tf 11 Pc 3Malicious Talebearing

Sutta on Malicious Slander (Pesuñña Pācittiya)

Context

The Vinaya Piṭaka of Theravāda Buddhism records the rules (Pātimokkha) that bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs must observe. Among the prohibitions leading to a Pācittiya offense, a type of violation lighter than Pārājika, the Pesuñña sutta—“malicious slander”—is recorded to protect harmony in the Sangha and to cultivate a spirit of compassion and forgiveness.

Etymologically, the Pāli word pesuñña means “slander, spreading divisive matters, speaking with a two-sided tongue.” This is not necessarily outright false speech, but words stylized and wrapped in malice in order to damage relationships between individuals or within a community. This sutta is classified as one of the important prohibitions because of its harm to the concord (samaggī) of the Sangha.

Main Content

The Pesuñña Pācittiya Sutta teaches that if a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī intentionally speaks divisive words, malicious slander intended to break harmonious relationships among members of the Sangha, or to destroy another’s good name without legitimate basis, then that person violates this prohibition and must confess (pācittiya—requiring confession at the Pātimokkha recitation).

The important distinction is intention (cetanā). A statement may be true, but if it is spoken with the purpose of creating division and conflict, especially when the speaker knows well that the words will cause harm, then it is pesuñña. Conversely, if one speaks the truth for the common good, for integrity, and to protect the Dharma, this does not constitute this offense.

The Vinaya Piṭaka emphasizes that the Sangha functions on the basis of harmony (samaggī), mutual respect (saddahā), and peaceful intention. Malicious slander is like a poisoned arrow wounding the heart of that unity.

Practical Meaning

In practice, the Pesuñña Sutta teaches us to keep ourselves free from faults of speech, especially words that serve greed, hatred, and delusion—the three poisons.