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[368] [On the Conduct Sutra, Mutual Criticism, Methods and Prohibitions 19. If a monk and a nun are in a Saambhogika relationship, they should not criticize each other in each other's presence. If there is someone worthy of criticism on their own side, then it is permissible to criticize in their presence. If there is no one worthy of criticism on their own side, then it is permissible for the monk and nun to criticize each other. 19. If a monk and a nun are in a Saambhogika relationship, they should not criticize each other in each other's presence. If there is someone worthy of criticism on their own side, then it is permissible to criticize in their presence. If there is no one worthy of criticism on their own side, then it is permissible for the monk and nun to criticize each other. Discussion - The Brihatkalpa Sutra, in its fourth Uddesaka, describes twelve Saambhogika behaviors, and states that, according to the Utsargika method, six Saambhogika behaviors should be maintained with nuns. Accordingly, there is no behavior of a Maandalik Pahaar with nuns, and there is also no exchange of food, etc., with them without a strong reason, yet they are still considered Saambhogika because they are under the command of a single Acharya and belong to the same Gachchha. Even for such Saambhogika monks and nuns, it is forbidden to engage in mutual criticism, repentance, atonement, etc. That is, the monk should only criticize his faults, perform atonement, etc., in the presence of the Acharya, Upadhyaya, Stavira, etc., and the nun should only criticize her faults, perform atonement, etc., in the presence of the Pravartini, Stavira, etc., worthy Shramanis. This is the Vidhimarg or Utsargmarg. According to the Apavadmarg, if there is no one worthy of criticism or atonement in a particular gana, then, due to circumstances, the monk can criticize, repent, and atone in the presence of a nun of his own Gachchha, and the nun can criticize, etc., in the presence of a monk of her own Gachchha. This rule makes it clear that, in general, even monks and nuns of the same Gachchha should not criticize or atone for each other. In the commentary, explaining the negative consequences of mutual criticism, it is stated that if a monk or nun has to criticize someone regarding a violation of the fourth vow, and the monk or nun listening to the criticism is also overcome by lust, then on such an occasion, he or she may get an opportunity to express his or her feelings and may say, "You have to perform atonement anyway, so fulfill my desire once, then we can perform atonement together." Thus, there is a possibility of further downfall of each other due to mutual criticism. Even when criticizing other faults, there is a possibility of such faults arising due to repeated contact between the monk and nun in seclusion.