四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.7

3.7

The third precept: divisive speech. Purpose of formulation: When those who have left home dwell together, they have no intention of creating divisions. Exclusively plotting in secret and private, relaying words between parties, causes disputes to arise in the Saṅgha where there were none, and makes disputes that already exist impossible to extinguish. Hearing this brings disturbance to the monastic assembly, and the harboring of distress is severe; therefore the Sage formulated the rule. The specific conditions are six: 1) a good, fully ordained bhikṣu—excluding the remaining assemblies, schismatic accomplices, and the like; 2) speaking of base and evil matters; 3) transmitting them between parties; 4) having the intention to divide; 5) the phraseology is distinct; 6) the other person hears and understands. The treatise states: Causing dissension among fully ordained bhikṣus is a prāyaścittika; for the remaining assemblies the offense is light. Because causing dissension among bhikṣus allows for the possibility of separate factions and the arising of schism, it is severe on this account. There are also four permutations, which may be understood by comparative explanation. Below is the direct explanation of the root precept text. This precept arose because the group of six transmitted words between parties, causing the assembly to engage in disputes that could not be extinguished. The bhikṣus reported the fault, and the Buddha cited the jackal causing dissension between two beasts, how much more so among human beings, whereupon he formulated the precept.