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## The Sixteenth Uddeshak
[347] A monk should not make false statements about these practitioners who engage in various types of practices, based solely on attachment, aversion, or ignorance, without having accurate knowledge. That is, a monk of pure conduct should not be called a monk of lax conduct, and a monk of lax conduct should not be called a monk of pure conduct.
Contradictory statements are made only out of attachment, aversion, or ignorance. Such actions are not appropriate for a monk. For this reason, atonement is mentioned in these sutras.
Not only should one not make false statements, but even truthful words that are unpleasant or harmful should not be spoken by a monk.
_The implication is that calling a pure-conduct practitioner a lax-conduct practitioner, and a lax-conduct practitioner a pure-conduct practitioner, is a contradictory statement, and therefore atonement is mentioned for it in these two sutras.
Calling a lax-conduct practitioner a lax-conduct practitioner is a harsh statement, and therefore atonement arises according to the second sutra of the fifteenth Uddeshak.
Therefore, a monk should not make false statements, and even if a truthful statement is unpleasant or harmful to someone, it should not be made.
This statement is made with respect to the qualities of restraint, and atonement for false statements regarding all other qualities, such as knowledge, should be understood from these sutras.
## Atonement for Gan-Samkramana (Transition of Group) for Saambhogik (Worldly) Conduct
15. The monk who transitions from a group of virtuous practitioners to a group of less virtuous practitioners, or approves of such a transition, (incurs a minor four-month atonement).
**Explanation:** A Gan-Nayak (leader of a group) is usually endowed with virtuous qualities, and the monks and nuns of that group are also generally endowed with similar virtuous qualities. Therefore, a group is also called pure-conduct or lax-conduct according to the Gan-Nayak.
If a monk does not find peace or satisfaction in his own group for some reason, and wishes to change groups, he may do so.
The Thananga Sutra mentions five reasons for changing groups in its fifth section.
The Brihatkalpa Sutra, chapter 4, lays down the procedure for joining another group: If a practitioner holding the rank of Acharya (teacher) or higher wishes to join another group, he should appoint another monk qualified for the position of Acharya in his place, with the consent of the group, and then leave with the permission of the group.
_Ordinary monks should also leave only with the permission of the Acharya or higher. No one can join another group without permission.