Garudhamma 3

Pointing out offenses.

Explanation

A bhikkhunī may not point out a bhikkhu’s offense, whether it’s true or not. A bhikkhu may point out a bhikkhunī’s true offense, but may not point out an offense if it’s not true. A bhikkhunī may not say: “This bhikkhu is a doctor, this bhikkhu has broken a precept, this bhikkhu is an old man.” If they’re relatives, she may admonish him with gentle words, but may not criticize him. If he’s young, she should say: “You don’t train now. Are you waiting until you’re old to train? You’ll later teach and guide students. If you don’t train, then later your students will also train with you to do the unwholesome. Therefore you should follow the training, and learn and chant the suttas.” If a bhikkhunī speaks with a bhikkhu in a transgressive way: “This bhikkhu is a doctor, this bhikkhu has broken a precept, this bhikkhu is an old man,” she transgresses against this rule of respect. A bhikkhu may point out a bhikkhunī’s true transgressions, but may not criticize her: “Shaven-headed old hag, lustful greedy old hag, decrepit old hag.” If she’s a relative who acts against dhamma, he may say: “Don’t do this.” He may not scold her. He should admonish her with gentle words. If she’s young, he should say: “You don’t train now. Are you waiting until you’re old to train? You’ll later teach and guide students. If you don’t train, then later your students will also train with you to do the unwholesome. Therefore you should learn and chant the suttas.” If a bhikkhu scolds a bhikkhunī: “Shaven-headed old hag, lustful greedy old hag, old woman, unwholesome person who doesn’t know how to nurture compassion,” he breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what is called “a bhikkhunī may not point out a bhikkhu’s offense, whether it’s true or not. A bhikkhu may point out a bhikkhunī’s true offense.” This is called the third rule of respect.