法苑珠林 24.8

24.8

Furthermore, the *Ten Recitations Vinaya* states: There are five kinds of people for whom, when they ask about the Dharma, one should not preach: first, asking to test; second, asking without doubt; third, asking not for the sake of repenting an offense; fourth, asking without intending to accept the instruction; fifth, asking to interrogate and challenge. For all of these, one must not answer. If the person truly has good intentions, is devoid of the aforementioned intentions, and wishes to generate good and eliminate evil, the Dharma master should skillfully adapt to the capacity and with good intentions preach for him. If his own understanding is not yet clear, or if he harbors doubts regarding the Dharma, he must not preach, lest he cause the other person to suffer the error of misinterpreting and transmitting it falsely, so that both incur guilt.