四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.111

3.111

"If a bhikṣu frightens another bhikṣu, it is a prāyaścittika." This complete text has three phrases: first, the person who commits the offense; second, frightening; third, the assigning of the offense. In differentiating the aspects, the first phrase is evident. As for the second, "frightens": the Vinaya explains the karma of frightening, first listing the names and then explaining them in turn. As for listing the names: he displays each of the six matters of form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and mental objects. As for frightening with form: either making the form of a bird, up to the form of a ghost or beast—in this manner, one frightens the other person with form. As for frightening with sound: either the sound of a conch shell, the sound of an elephant, or the like—with such sounds one frightens the other person. Up to frightening with mental objects: telling the other person, "I have seen such an omen; you will die," or "you will lose your robes and bowl, and your upādhyāya likewise," or "your parents will fall ill or die," and so forth—frightening with such mental objects. As for the third, "prāyaścittika": this is the phrase for the transgression. The Vinaya states: "If one uses the six matters, for each one it is a prāyaścittika. Whether he causes the other to see, hear, and so forth, and whether he is frightened or not frightened, for each one he incurs a prāyaścittika offense. If it is unclear and the other person does not perceive it, for each one it is a duṣkṛta." The Vinaya states that it is not an offense if: sitting in a dark place without lamplight, or at a latrine or urinal, one sees someone from afar and thinks he is a vicious beast; or one frightens someone by the sound of walking, coughing, or touching; or one displays form or the like to someone without the intention to frighten; or if it is true that one has seen in a dream that he will die or lose his robes, or that his parents are gravely ill or have died, and one tells him so that he knows; or by mistake—in all these cases, it is not an offense.