四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.166

1.166

Third, although the essence is not that of the saṃgha, relying on conditions it fulfills the function: this refers to the persons in the preceding category who, prior to speaking for themselves, participate in saṃgha procedures, all of which are accomplished. Even if they have spoken, if no one knows of it, it still fulfills the saṃgha's function; because there is no violation in their external signs, they are able to carry out the affair. Thus, in the Vinaya, for a precept-breaking upādhyāya, because it is not known, the procedure is successfully accomplished. Even for extreme offenses, phrases such as 'if he says' are always included. The text states: 'One should know another's observance and transgression by means of the physical eye,' and so forth. The Daśādhyāya-vinaya states: 'If a person has committed a grave offense, or is a thief fraudulently posing as a bhikṣu, or broke the precepts when originally a layperson, and so forth, if he first states that he has this fault, the karman is not accomplished; if he does not state it, all are accomplished.' The Sarvāstivāda[-vinaya-vibhāṣā] states: 'Because one with the divine eye does not speak of another's evil... up to: if it were permitted to inspect the purity or defilement of the saṃgha with the divine eye and ear, who among humans is without fault! It is only a matter of major or minor; wherever one looks, one would see them. If permission were given to speak of them, it would cause much disruption. Therefore, speaking of them is not permitted.' 'Speaking for oneself' refers to telling someone: 'I have committed unchastity, theft,' and the like.