四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 2.284

2.284

Precept Seventy-seven: Eavesdropping on the four disputes. Five conditions: first, the four disputes have previously arisen; second, the other persons are deliberating in secret; third, harboring an intention to cause contention; fourth, going there to listen stealthily; fifth, hearing it immediately concludes the offense, without waiting to report it to others. In the Vinaya: if two persons speak together in the dark, speak together in a hidden place, or walk ahead on the road speaking together, if one does not snap one's fingers or clear one's throat to alert them, it is a duṣkṛta. Exceptions: if listening out of fear that harm will be done, it is permitted.