Excuses
- Pc 71, Ploy to avoid criticism
- Pc 72, Criticising the rules
- Pc 73, Claiming ignorance
Pc 71, Ploy to avoid criticism
A bhikkhu has been admonished in the training, but he doesn't want to train in line with the rule.
Effort: one says something to the effect that one will not train in line with the rule.
"Is this the Vinaya, or just your opinion? I have my own interpretation. I am going to ask someone else what they think."
After being admonishmed, the correct response is to accept the instruction and train accordingly, and ask questions at a suitable time after due reflection.
Related to Pc 54, being disrespectful after admonition.
Pc 72, Criticising the rules
Origin: the bhikkhus are holding Vinaya classes with Ven. Upāli, and the group-of-six are concerned that if everyone knows the rules, they can't do as they like. They criticize the Vinaya to the other bhikkhus.
To criticize the Dhamma in a similar way is a dukkaṭa.
Pc 73, Claiming ignorance
To pretend that one didn't know about a rule to excuse oneself of its consequences is a dukkaṭa. The other bhikkhus may expose the deception. If he continues to pretend ignorance, the offense is a pācittiya.