四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.15

3.15

Precept 7: Speaking of another's grave offenses to an unordained person. Regarding the intention behind the formulation: The monastic Saṃgha ought in principle to be pure and prominent, so that its good reputation serves as an external barrier to generate faith in the teaching among people. If one speaks of these coarse and evil matters of a bhikṣu to laypersons, when the other person hears of it, their sentiments toward the Saṃgha jewel will become slight and indifferent, losing their sense of respect, faith, and veneration, causing profound damage. Therefore, it required holy formulation. The specific conditions comprise seven: 1. A bhikṣu or bhikṣuṇī. 2. Having committed offenses of the first two sections. 3. Knowing that a grave offense was committed. 4. Without permission through a legal act of the Saṃgha. 5. Speaking to an unordained person. 6. The words are distinct. 7. The other person hears and understands. Below, the Prātimokṣa text is properly explained. This precept arose because the group of six monks spoke to laypersons of a bhikṣu's fault of committing a saṃghāvaśeṣa; when the offender heard the report, he was ashamed; the other bhikṣus reported it to the Buddha, and the Buddha then formulated the precept.