四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.28

3.28

"If a monk resents or reviles, it is a prāyaścittika." This complete text has three clauses: first, the person who commits the offense; second, the act of reviling; third, the determination of the offense. The first clause is self-evident. As for "resents or reviles," the Vinaya states: "Resents" means slandering in a place where one is seen face-to-face but not heard, saying that [the officer] has favoritism, anger, fear, or delusion, and the like; "reviles" means uttering abuse behind their back in a place where one is heard by the ear but not seen. Third, as for "prāyaścittika," this is the offense of violation. Question: How does this precept on reviling differ [from the earlier one]? Answer: The former person was not a duty-officer; this one is a duty-officer. Furthermore, in the former precept, whether true or untrue, it is an offense; in this precept, if true, it is not an offense, but only if false. The Vinaya states: If one falsely resents or reviles, it is a prāyaścittika; for each resentment or reviling, it is a prāyaścittika. If one refuses the instruction of a senior and resents or reviles, it is a duṣkṛta. The Vinaya states: Non-offenses: the matter actually exists, and fearing that they might later have regret and remorse, one speaks to have them confess according to the Dharma, saying that they have favoritism, anger, and the like; or if spoken in jest or by mistake—none of these constitute an offense.