[712] "Whoever" (yo pana): whoever, of whatever sort … "Bhikkhu": … this is the bhikkhu intended in this sense.
"Of bhikkhus": of other bhikkhus.
"Who have fallen into quarrelling, fallen into disputing, engaged in contention": for whom a legal issue (adhikaraṇa) has arisen.
"Should stand eavesdropping": if he goes, thinking, "Having heard these, I will accuse them, I will remind them, I will counter-accuse them, I will counter-remind them, I will make them abashed," he commits an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa). Wherever he stands and hears, he commits an offense of expiation (pācittiya).
Walking behind, if he hurries along, thinking, "I will listen," he commits an offense of wrong-doing. Wherever he stands and hears, he commits an offense of expiation.
Walking in front, if he lags behind, thinking, "I will listen," he commits an offense of wrong-doing. Wherever he stands and hears, he commits an offense of expiation.
Having come to a place where a bhikkhu is standing, or sitting, or lying down, while he is conversing, one should clear one's throat or make oneself known. If he should neither clear his throat nor make himself known, he commits an offense of expiation.
"Making just this the reason and no other": there is no other reason whatsoever for standing to eavesdrop.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.