Xct Mu Bu Pm Pc 13Evasive Speech

THE RULE ON EVASIVE SPEECH

Explanation of Aññavādaka (Evasive Speech)

Background

The Aññavādaka rule is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically among the training rules of the Buddhist monastic community. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled to protect the purity and harmony of the monastic community, while helping disciples practice the path that leads to liberation. This rule concerns a form of offense connected with twisted, evasive, or responsibility-avoiding speech when one is directly questioned.

The general background of these rules often arises from specific events within the Sangha. When disputes occur or the truth needs to be clarified, monastics must face direct questions about their actions or words. Those who evade, speak obliquely, or deliberately cause confusion undermine purity and trust within the community; therefore, this rule was established as a prohibition.

Main Content

The Aññavādaka rule concerns an offense (āpatti) known as “speaking otherwise” or “speaking of another matter”: when a monk is questioned about a specific matter that he clearly knows, but instead of answering directly, he intentionally replies in a roundabout, twisted way or speaks about something else. This act is regarded as a subtle form of deceit.

According to the Vinaya, when the Sangha holds a meeting or when a dispute needs to be resolved, monastics must answer with truthful speech (saccavacana). Speaking evasively or answering indirectly is not only dishonest, but also obstructs justice within the community and destroys mutual trust. For this reason the Buddha established rules restraining this conduct.

The nature of this offense is as follows: first, there must be a fairly direct question; second, the person questioned must know the correct answer; third, he intentionally answers indirectly instead of answering plainly. The purpose of this rule is to maintain purity, honesty, and transparency in the monastic community.