四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.13

3.13

Precept 6: Reciting together with an unordained person. Regarding the intention behind the formulation: The Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā states that the Buddha formulated this precept on account of four meanings: 1. to distinguish from the non-Buddhists; 2. because the stations of master and disciple are distinct; 3. to distinguish and make the spoken words clear; 4. to rely on the actual meaning and not value mere vocal sound. The specific conditions comprise five: 1. It is the Dharma spoken by the Buddha. 2. Words, phrases, and syllables. 3. An unordained person. 4. Chanting together in unison. 5. As soon as the spoken words are distinct, one commits the offense. Below, the Prātimokṣa text is explained. This precept arose because the group of six monks were in the lecture hall with various householders, reciting the words of the sūtras aloud in unison, disturbing the bhikṣus who were sitting in meditation; the Buddha then formulated the precept.