梵網經菩薩戒本疏 3.39

3.39

初、制意者，略有三意：一、為壞信心故，菩薩理宜弘護三寶，過惡揚善以生物信，何容說過廢黷信心乖利他行？故須深制也。二、招重釁故，故謂初心菩薩豈免微失，理應讚其實德成自正行，而反以惡心苟求其短，言陳彼過自負重愆，故須制也。三、背恩德故，謂由三寶恩及戒法防身，加成勝德當獲大果，理宜粉骨碎身護持遺寄，而今反以惡言說其罪，背恩之甚，故須制也。

First, as for the intention of the prohibition, there are briefly three intentions: 1. To prevent destroying faith: The bodhisattva, in principle, should broadly protect the Three Jewels, conceal evils, and publicize goods in order to generate faith in sentient beings; how could one speak of offenses, ruin and sully faith, and go against the practice of benefiting others? Therefore, it must be strictly prohibited. 2. To prevent incurring grave guilt: Bodhisattvas of initial aspiration cannot avoid slight mistakes; in principle, one should praise their real virtues to accomplish one's own correct practice, yet on the contrary, with an evil mind one improperly seeks out their shortcomings and relates their offenses in speech, burdening oneself with grave transgressions; therefore, it must be prohibited. 3. To prevent turning one's back on kindness and virtue: By the kindness of the Three Jewels and the precept-dharma which guards the body, and by accumulating superior virtues, one will obtain the great fruit; in principle, one should powder one's bones and shatter one's body to protect and uphold the legacy, yet now, conversely, with evil words one speaks of their offenses, extremely turning one's back on kindness; therefore, it must be prohibited.