Item 6 in Ten Major Bodhisattva Precepts
Do not maliciously publicise communal faults
Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse.
- Position
- 6
- Form
- Mixed formulation
- Obligation
- Context-dependent
- Wording status
- Translation
- Intended audience
- Practitioners formally undertaking this East Asian Mahāyāna precept lineage
- Last reviewed
- 28 June 2027
Names and terminology
Canonical name: Sixth grave precept
Original term: Sixth grave precept
Transliteration: Sixth grave precept
Source wording
<p>Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse.</p><p><em>Editorial paraphrase; consult the linked source for full wording and context.</em></p>
Literal meaning
Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse.
Broader interpretation
Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse.
Historical context
This principle belongs to Ten Major Bodhisattva Precepts and must be read within that framework's setting.
Practical meaning
Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse.
Ethical purpose
Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse.
Exceptions and disputes
Ancient institutional wording requires careful modern interpretation, especially where safeguarding, criticism and individual rights are involved.
Variations across schools or traditions
Other Mahāyāna texts transmit different bodhisattva-precept systems; this page concerns the Brahmā's Net ten grave precepts.
Modern application
Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse. Modern application should consider consent, evidence, proportionality, power and consequences.
Criticism and difficult cases
Ancient institutional wording requires careful modern interpretation, especially where safeguarding, criticism and individual rights are involved.
Truth By Reason analysis
Avoid malicious exposure or factional use of faults, without concealing abuse. Application should preserve the ethical purpose while avoiding coercion, discrimination and preventable harm.
Ethical themes
Sources
- The Brahmā's Net Sutra Primary source