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Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Great Division The chapter on the
observance day 1. The instruction to gather together

At one time the Buddha was staying on the Vulture Peak at Rājagaha. At that
time, on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of the lunar half-month,
the wanderers of other religions gathered and gave teachings. People went to
listen to those teachings, and they acquired affection for and confidence in
those wanderers. And the wanderers gained supporters. Then, when King Seniya
Bimbisāra of Magadha was reflecting in private, he considered this and
thought, “Why don’t the venerables, too, gather on the fourteenth,
fifteenth, and eighth day of the half-month?” He then went to the Buddha,
bowed, sat down, and told him what he had thought, adding, “It would be
good, sir, if the venerables, too, gathered on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and
eighth day of the half-month.” The Buddha then instructed, inspired, and
gladdened him with a teaching. When the Buddha had finished, the king got up
from his seat, bowed, circumambulated the Buddha with his right side toward
him, and left. Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the
monks: “You should gather together on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the
eighth day of the lunar half-month.”

When the monks heard about the Buddha’s instruction, they started gathering
on those days. People came to hear a teaching, but the monks sat in silence.
The people complained and criticized them, “How can the Sakyan monastics
gather on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of the half-month, but
then sit in silence like dumb pigs? Shouldn’t they give a teaching when they
gather together?” The monks heard the complaints of those people and they
told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the
monks: “When you gather together on the fourteenth, the fifteenth, and the
eighth day of the lunar half-month, you should give a teaching.”

2. The instruction to recite the Monastic Code While the Buddha was reflecting
in private, he thought, “Why don’t I instruct the monks to recite a
monastic code, consisting of those training rules that I have laid down for
them? That would be their procedure for the observance day.” In the evening,
when the Buddha had come out from seclusion, he gave a teaching and addressed
the monks. He told them what he had thought, adding: “You should recite the
Monastic Code. And you should do it like this. A competent and capable monk
should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen.
If the Sangha is ready, it should do the observance-day ceremony, it should
recite the Monastic Code. What is the preliminary duty of the Sangha? The
venerables should declare their purity. I will recite the Monastic Code.
Everyone present should listen to it and attend carefully. Anyone who has
committed an offense should reveal it. If you haven’t committed any offense,
you should remain silent. If you are silent, I will regard you as pure. Just
as one responds when asked individually, so too, an announcement is made three
times in this kind of gathering. If a monk remembers an offense while the
announcement is being made up to the third time, but doesn’t reveal it, he
is lying in full awareness. Lying in full awareness is called an obstacle by
the Buddha. A monk who remembers an offense and is seeking purification should
therefore reveal it. When it’s revealed, he will be at ease.’”
Definitions Monastic Code: this is the beginning, this is the front, this is
at the head of wholesome qualities—therefore it is called “Monastic
Code”. Venerables: this is a term of affection, a term of respect; it is an
expression of respect and deference, that is, “venerables”. I will recite:
I will set forth, I will teach, I will declare, I will set out, I will reveal,
I will analyze, I will make plain, I will manifest. It: The Monastic Code is
what is meant. Everyone present: to whatever extent there are senior monks,
junior monks, and monks of middle standing in that gathering—these are
called “everyone present”. Should listen carefully: should be attentive,
should pay attention, should apply their whole mind. Should attend: should
listen with a one-pointed mind, with an undistracted mind, with a
non-wandering mind. Anyone who has committed an offense: a senior monk, a
junior monk, or a monk of middle standing who has committed a particular
offense among the five or seven classes of offenses. Should reveal it: should
confess it, should disclose it, should make it plain, should make it
known—either in the midst of the Sangha, in the midst of a group, or to an
individual. If you haven’t committed any offense: if you have not committed
any offense or you have cleared yourself after committing one. You should
remain silent: you should be patient; you shouldn’t say anything. I will
regard you as pure: I will know; I will remember. Just as one responds when
asked individually: just as one would respond when asked privately, so too,
one should know of that gathering, “It’s asking me.” This kind of
gathering: a gathering of monks is what is meant. When the announcement is
made three times: when the announcement is made once, when the announcement is
made for the second time, and also when the announcement is made for the third
time. Remembers: Knows, perceives. An offense: one that has been committed, or
one that has not been cleared after being committed. But doesn’t reveal it:
does not confess it, disclose it, make it plain, make it known—either in the
midst of the Sangha, in the midst of a group, or to an individual. He is lying
in full awareness: what is there for lying in full awareness? There is an act
of wrong conduct. Is called an obstacle by the Buddha: an obstacle for what?
It is an obstacle for reaching the first absorption, the second absorption,
the third absorption, the fourth absorption; an obstacle for reaching the
wholesome qualities of absorption, release, stillness, attainment,
renunciation, escape, seclusion. Therefore: for that reason. Who remembers:
who knows, who perceives. Is seeking purification: is desiring to be cleared,
is desiring purity. An offense: one that has been committed, or one that has
not been cleared after being committed. Should reveal it: should reveal it
either in the midst of the Sangha, in the midst of a group, or to an
individual. When it’s revealed, he will be at ease: at ease for what? He
will be at ease for reaching the first absorption, the second absorption, the
third absorption, the forth absorption; at ease for reaching the wholesome
qualities of absorption, release, stillness, attainment, renunciation, escape,
seclusion.

When they heard that the Buddha required the recitation of the Monastic Code,
some monks recited it daily. They told the Buddha. “You shouldn’t recite
the Monastic Code every day. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong
conduct. You should recite the Monastic Code on the observance day.” When
they heard that the Buddha required the recitation of the Monastic Code on the
observance day, some monks recited it three times per half-month: on the
fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day. “You shouldn’t recite the Monastic
Code three times per lunar half-month. If you do, you commit an offense of
wrong conduct. You should recite the Monastic Code once every lunar
half-month: on the fourteenth or the fifteenth day.”

On one occasion the monks from the group of six recited the Monastic Code
separately, each to his own followers. “You shouldn’t recite the Monastic
Code separately, each to your own followers. If you do, you commit an offense
of wrong conduct. You should do the observance-day procedure in a complete
assembly.” When they knew that the Buddha had laid down a rule that the
observance-day procedure should be done in a complete assembly, the monks
thought, “How far does a complete assembly extend? As far as one monastery
or as far as the entire earth?” “A complete assembly extends as far as one
monastery.” 3. Mahākappina At that time Venerable Mahākappina was staying
at Rājagaha in the deer park at Maddakucchi. On one occasion, while
reflecting in private, he thought, “Should I go to the observance-day
ceremony? Should I go to the legal procedures of the Sangha? Regardless,
I’ve reached the highest purity.” The Buddha read his mind. Then, just as
a strong man might bend or stretch his arm, the Buddha disappeared from the
Vulture Peak and reappeared in front of Mahākappina, where he sat down on the
prepared seat. Mahākappina bowed and sat down, and the Buddha said to him:
“Isn’t it the case, Kappina, that you were wondering whether or not you
should go to the observance day and the legal procedures of the Sangha?”
“Yes, venerable sir.” “If you brahmins don’t honor and revere the
observance day, then who will? Go to the observance day, brahmin, and go to
the legal procedures of the Sangha.” “Yes.” The Buddha instructed,
inspired, and gladdened him with a teaching. Then, just as a strong man might
bend or stretch his arm, the Buddha disappeared from Mahākappina’s presence
and reappeared on the Vulture Peak.

4. The allowance for monastery zones When they knew that the Buddha had laid
down a rule that a complete assembly extends as far as one monastery, the
monks thought, “How far does a single monastery extend?” They told the
Buddha. “I allow you to establish a monastery zone. And it should be
established like this. First you should announce the zone markers: a hill, a
rock, a forest grove, a tree, a path, an anthill, a river, a lake. Then a
competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I
ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, it should establish a
monastery zone based on the announced markers, defining who belongs to the
same community and who should do the observance-day ceremony together. This is
the motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha
establishes a monastery zone based on the announced markers, defining who
belongs to the same community and who should do the observance-day ceremony
together. Any monk who approves of establishing a monastery zone based on
these markers, defining who belongs to the same community and who should do
the observance-day ceremony together, should remain silent. Any monk who
doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has established a monastery zone
based on these markers, defining who belongs to the same community and who
should do the observance-day ceremony together. The Sangha approves and is
therefore silent. I will remember it thus.’”

When they heard that the Buddha had made an allowance to establish a monastery
zone, the monks from the group of six established zones that were too large:
50, 65, and even 80 kilometers across. Monks coming to the observance-day
ceremony arrived while the Monastic Code was being recited or just after, and
they had to stop overnight while on the way. They told the Buddha. “You
shouldn’t establish a monastery zone that is too large, whether 50, 65, or
80 kilometers across. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. You
should establish a monastery zone that is 40 kilometers across at the most.”
At one time the monks from the group of six had established a zone that
crossed a river. Monks on their way to the observance-day ceremony were swept
away by the current, as were their bowls and robes. “You shouldn’t
establish a monastery zone that crosses a river. If you do, you commit an
offense of wrong conduct. I allow you to establish a monastery zone that
crosses a river only if there is a permanent bridge or ferry connection.”

5. Discussion of the observance-day hall At that time the monks recited the
Monastic Code in one yard after another without making a prior arrangement.
Newly-arrived monks did not know where the observance-day ceremony was to be
held. They told the Buddha. “You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code in one
yard after another without making a prior arrangement. If you do, you commit
an offense of wrong conduct. I allow you to designate an observance-day
hall—whether a dwelling, a stilt house, or a cave—for the observance-day
ceremony. And it should be designated like this. A competent and capable monk
should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen.
If the Sangha is ready, it should designate such-and-such a dwelling as the
observance-day hall. This is the motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha
to listen. The Sangha designates such-and-such a dwelling as the
observance-day hall. Any monk who approves of designating such-and-such a
dwelling as the observance-day hall should remain silent. Any monk who
doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has designated such-and-such a
dwelling as the observance-day hall. The Sangha approves and is therefore
silent. I will remember it thus.’” Soon afterwards in a certain monastery,
they designated two different observance-day halls. Monks gathered in both
places, each group thinking, “The observance-day ceremony will be done
here.” They told the Buddha. “You shouldn’t designate two different
observance-day halls within the same monastery. If you do, you commit an
offense of wrong conduct. You should abolish one of them and do the
observance-day ceremony in one place. And it should be abolished like this. A
competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I
ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, it should abolish
such-and-such an observance-day hall. This is the motion. Please, venerables,
I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha abolishes such-and-such an
observance-day hall. Any monk who approves of abolishing such-and-such an
observance-day hall should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve
should speak up. The Sangha has abolished such-and-such an observance-day
hall. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I will remember it
thus.’”

6. The allowance for an observance-day forecourt At one time in a certain
monastery, they had designated an observance-day hall that was too small. On
the observance day a large sangha of monks gathered there. Some monks listened
to the recitation of the Monastic Code while sitting outside the designated
area. Knowing that the Buddha had laid down a rule that the observance-day
ceremony should be done after designating an observance-day hall, they
wondered, “Have we done the observance-day ceremony or not?” They told the
Buddha. “Whether you listen to the recitation of the Monastic Code while
seated within or outside the designated area, in either case you have done the
observance-day ceremony. Still, the Sangha may designate an observance-day
forecourt as large as it likes. And it should be designated like this. First
the markers should be announced. Then a competent and capable monk should
inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the
Sangha is ready, it should designate an observance-day forecourt based on the
announced markers. This is the motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to
listen. The Sangha designates an observance-day forecourt based on the
announced markers. Any monk who approves of designating an observance-day
forecourt based on these markers should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t
approve should speak up. The Sangha has designated an observance-day forecourt
based on these markers. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I will
remember it thus.’”

On one occasion, on the observance day in a certain monastery, the junior
monks had gathered first. Thinking, “There’s no point in being here before
the senior monks arrive,” they left. As a consequence, the observance-day
ceremony was done at the wrong time. “On the observance day, the senior
monks should gather first.”

At that time at Rājagaha, there was a number of monasteries within the same
monastery zone. The monks argued about where the observance-day ceremony
should be done. “When there are a number of monasteries within the same zone
and the monks are arguing about where the observance-day ceremony should be
done, they should all gather in one place and do the observance-day ceremony
there. Or they should gather wherever the most senior monk is staying. You
shouldn’t do the observance-day ceremony with an incomplete sangha. If you
do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

7. The allowance for a may-stay-apart zone On one occasion Venerable
Mahākassapa was coming from Andhakavinda to Rājagaha for the observance-day
ceremony. As he was crossing a river on the way, he briefly got carried away
by the current and his robes got wet. The monks asked him why his robes were
wet, and he told them what had happened. They told the Buddha. “When the
Sangha has established a monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same
community and who should do the observance-day ceremony together, the Sangha
may designate this same zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area.
And it should be designated like this. A competent and capable monk should
inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The
Sangha has established a monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same
community and who should do the observance-day ceremony together. If the
Sangha is ready, it should designate this same zone as a
may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area. This is the motion. Please,
venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha has established a monastery
zone, defining who belongs to the same community and who should do the
observance-day ceremony together. The Sangha designates this same zone as a
may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area. Any monk who approves of designating
this monastery zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area should
remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has
designated this monastery zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area.
The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I will remember it thus.’”
When they heard that the Buddha had allowed the designation of a
may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area, monks stored their robes in
inhabited areas. Their robes were lost, burned, and eaten by rats. As a
consequence, they had shabby robes. Other monks asked them why, and they told
them what had happened. They told the Buddha. “When the Sangha has
established a monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same community and
who should do the observance-day ceremony together, the Sangha may designate
this same zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area, leaving out
inhabited areas and the vicinity of inhabited areas. And it should be
designated like this. A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha:
‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha has established
a monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same community and who should do
the observance-day ceremony together. If the Sangha is ready, it should
designate this same zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area,
leaving out inhabited areas and the vicinity of inhabited areas. This is the
motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha has
established a monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same community and
who should do the observance-day ceremony together. The Sangha designates this
same zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area, leaving out inhabited
areas and the vicinity of inhabited areas. Any monk who approves of
designating this monastery zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area,
leaving out inhabited areas and the vicinity of inhabited areas, should remain
silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has
designated this monastery zone as a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area,
leaving out inhabited areas and the vicinity of inhabited areas. The Sangha
approves and is therefore silent. I will remember it thus.’ 8. The
abolishing of monastery zones “Monks, when you’re establishing a monastery
zone, the zone that defines who belongs to the same community should be
established first. Afterwards you may designate the
may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area. And when you’re abolishing a
monastery zone, the may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area should be
abolished first. Afterwards you may abolish the zone that defines who belongs
to the same community. And this how a may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area
should be abolished. A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha:
‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, it
should abolish this may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area. This is the
motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha abolishes
this may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area. Any monk who approves of
abolishing this may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area should remain silent.
Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has abolished this
may-stay-apart-from-the-three-robes area. The Sangha approves and is therefore
silent. I will remember it thus.’ And a monastery zone should be abolished
like this. A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: ‘Please,
venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, it should
abolish this monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same community and
who should do the observance-day ceremony together. This is the motion.
Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha abolishes this
monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same community and who should do
the observance-day ceremony together. Any monk who approves of abolishing this
monastery zone, defining who belongs to the same community and who should do
the observance-day ceremony together, should remain silent. Any monk who
doesn’t approve should speak up. The Sangha has abolished this monastery
zone, defining who belongs to the same community and who should do the
observance-day ceremony together. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent.
I will remember it thus.’ 9. Zones of inhabited areas, etc. “There are
monks who live supported by inhabited areas where no monastery zone has been
established. In these cases, the zone of the inhabited area defines who
belongs to the same community and who should do the observance-day ceremony
together. If it is an uninhabited area in the wilderness, a distance of 80
meters on all sides defines who belongs to the same community and who should
do the observance-day ceremony together. A whole river, a whole ocean, or a
whole lake cannot be a monastery zone in its own right. In a river, in the
ocean, and in a lake, the zone that defines who belongs to the same community
and who should do the observance-day ceremony together is the distance an
average man can splash water in all directions.”

At one time the monks from the group of six established a monastery zone that
overlapped with an existing monastery zone. “The establishment of the first
zone is a legitimate legal procedure that is irreversible and fit to stand.
The establishment of the subsequent zone is an illegitimate legal procedure
that is reversible and unfit to stand. You shouldn’t establish a monastery
zone that overlaps with an existing monastery zone. If you do, you commit an
offense of wrong conduct.” At one time the monks from the group of six
established a monastery zone that enclosed one existing monastery zone within
it. “The establishment of the first zone is a legitimate legal procedure
that is irreversible and fit to stand. The establishment of the subsequent
zone is an illegitimate legal procedure that is reversible and unfit to stand.
You shouldn’t establish a monastery zone that encloses an existing monastery
zone. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. When you establish a
monastery zone, you should leave a gap to any existing monastery zone.”

10. Breach of the observance-day ceremony, etc. The monks thought, “How many
observance days are there?” They told the Buddha. “There are two
observance days: the fourteenth and the fifteenth day of the lunar
half-month.” The monks thought, “How many kinds of observance-day
procedures are there?” “There are these four kinds: The observance-day
procedure that is illegitimate and has an incomplete assembly. The
observance-day procedure that is illegitimate but has a complete assembly. The
observance-day procedure that is legitimate but has an incomplete assembly.
The observance-day procedure that is legitimate and has a complete assembly.
The first, second, and third of these shouldn’t be done; I haven’t allowed
such procedures. The fourth should be done; I have allowed such procedures.
Therefore, monks, you should train like this: ‘We will do observance-day
procedures that are legitimate and have a complete assembly.’”

11. The recitation of the Monastic Code in brief, etc. The monks thought,
“How many ways are there of reciting the Monastic Code?” They told the
Buddha. “There are these five ways of reciting the Monastic Code: After
reciting the introduction, the rest is announced as if heard. This is the
first way. After reciting the introduction and the four rules entailing
expulsion, the rest is announced as if heard. This is the second way. After
reciting the introduction, the four rules entailing expulsion, and the
thirteen rules entailing suspension, the rest is announced as if heard. This
is the third way. After reciting the introduction, the four rules entailing
expulsion, the thirteen rules entailing suspension, and the two undetermined
rules, the rest is announced as if heard. This is the fourth way. In full is
the fifth.” When they heard that the Buddha had allowed the recitation of
the Monastic Code in brief, some monks recited it in brief all the time.
“You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code in brief. If you do, you commit an
offense of wrong conduct.” At that time, on the observance day in a certain
monastery in the Kosalan country, there was a threat from primitive tribes.
The monks were unable to recite the Monastic Code in full. “I allow you to
recite the Monastic Code in brief when there are threats.” The monks from
the group of six recited the Monastic Code in brief even when there were no
threats. “You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code in brief when there are
no threats. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. I allow you to
recite the Monastic Code in brief when there are any of these threats: a
threat from kings, bandits, fire, floods, people, spirits, predatory animals,
or creeping animals, or a threat to life, or a threat to the monastic life.”
On one occasion the monks from the group of six gave a teaching in the midst
of the Sangha without being asked. “You shouldn’t give a teaching in the
midst of the Sangha without being asked. If you do, you commit an offense of
wrong conduct. I allow the most senior monk either to give a teaching himself
or to ask someone else.” 12. Discussion of questioning on the Monastic Law
On one occasion the monks from the group of six questioned others on the
Monastic Law in the midst of the Sangha without being approved. “You
shouldn’t question others on the Monastic Law in the midst of the Sangha
without being approved. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. I
allow you to question others on the Monastic Law in the midst of the Sangha
after being approved. And it should be done like this. One is either approved
through oneself or through someone else. How is one approved through oneself?
A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables,
I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, I will question so-and-so
on the Monastic Law.’ And how is one approved through someone else? A
competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I
ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, so-and-so will question
so-and-so on the Monastic Law.’ Soon good monks asked questions on the
Monastic Law in the midst of the Sangha after being approved. The monks from
the group of six became angry and bitter, and they made threats of violence.
“The monk who has been approved should first survey the gathering and
evaluate the individuals, and then ask questions on the Monastic Law in the
midst of the Sangha.” 13. Discussion of replying to questions on the
Monastic Law On one occasion the monks from the group of six replied to
questions on the Monastic Law in the midst of the Sangha without being
approved. “You shouldn’t reply to questions on the Monastic Law in the
midst of the Sangha without being approved. If you do, you commit an offense
of wrong conduct. I allow you to reply to questions on the Monastic Law in the
midst of the Sangha after being approved. And it should be done like this. One
is either approved through oneself or through someone else. How is one
approved through oneself? A competent and capable monk should inform the
Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is
ready, I will reply when asked by so-and-so on the Monastic Law.’ And how is
one approved through someone else? A competent and capable monk should inform
the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha
is ready, so-and-so will reply when asked by so-and-so on the Monastic Law.’
Soon good monks replied to questions on the Monastic Law in the midst of the
Sangha after being approved. The monks from the group of six became angry and
bitter, and they made threats of violence. “The monk who has been approved
should first survey the gathering and evaluate the individuals, and then reply
to questions on the Monastic Law in the midst of the Sangha.”

14. Discussion of accusing At one time the monks from the group of six accused
a monk of an offense without first getting his permission to do so. “You
shouldn’t accuse a monk of an offense without first getting his permission.
If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. You should only accuse
someone of an offense after getting their permission: ‘I wish to speak to
you, venerable, please give me permission.’” Soon, after getting their
permission, good monks accused the monks from the group of six of an offense.
The monks from the group of six became angry and bitter, and they made threats
of violence. “Even when you have their permission, you should first evaluate
the individual and then accuse them of an offense.” At this time the monks
from the group of six—thinking to act before the good monks asked them for
permission, but having no reason for doing so—asked permission from pure
monks who had not committed any offenses. “When there is no reason for doing
so, you shouldn’t ask permission from pure monks who haven’t committed any
offenses. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. And you should
give permission only after evaluating the individual.” 15. Objecting to an
illegitimate legal procedure, etc. On one occasion the monks from the group of
six did an illegitimate legal procedure in the midst of the Sangha. “You
shouldn’t do illegitimate legal procedures. If you do, you commit an offense
of wrong conduct.” They still did illegitimate procedures. “You should
object when an illegitimate legal procedure is being done.” Soon afterwards
good monks objected when the monks from the group of six did an illegitimate
procedure. The monks from the group of six became angry and bitter, and they
made threats of violence. “I also allow you to state your view.” They did.
Once again the monks from the group of six became angry and bitter, making
threats of violence. “A group of four or five should object, a group of two
or three may state their view, and a single person may make a silent
determination: ‘I don’t approve of this.’” On one occasion when the
monks from the group of six were reciting the Monastic Code in the midst of
the Sangha, they deliberately made themselves inaudible. “When reciting the
Monastic Code, you shouldn’t deliberately make yourselves inaudible. If you
do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.” At one time Venerable Udāyī
was the Sangha’s reciter of the Monastic Code, but he had a hoarse voice. He
knew that the Buddha had laid down a rule that the reciters of the Monastic
Code should make themselves heard, and he thought, ‘I have a hoarse voice.
What should I do?’ “The reciter of the Monastic Code should make an effort
to be heard. If you make an effort, there’s no offense.” On one occasion
Devadatta recited the Monastic Code in a gathering that included lay people.
“You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code in a gathering that includes lay
people. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.” On one occasion
the monks from the group of six recited the Monastic Code in the midst of the
Sangha without being asked. “You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code in the
midst of the Sangha without first being asked to do so. If you do, you commit
an offense of wrong conduct. The most senior monk should be in charge of the
recitation of the Monastic Code.” The first section for recitation on
monastics of other religions is finished.

16. Requesting the recitation of the Monastic Code, etc. When the Buddha had
stayed at Rājagaha for as long as he liked, he set out wandering toward
Codanāvatthu. When he eventually arrived, he stayed there. At that time a
number of monks were staying in a certain monastery where the most senior monk
was ignorant and incompetent. He did not know about the observance-day
ceremony or the observance-day procedure, nor about the Monastic Code or its
recitation. The other monks knew that the Buddha had laid down a rule that the
most senior monk should be in charge of the recitation of the Monastic Code,
and so they wondered what to do. They told the Buddha. “In such a case, a
competent and capable monk there should be in charge of the recitation of the
Monastic Code.” On one occasion on the observance day, a number of ignorant
and incompetent monks were staying in a certain monastery. They did not know
about the observance-day ceremony or the observance-day procedure, nor about
the Monastic Code or its recitation. They requested the most senior monk to
recite the Monastic Code, but he replied that he was incapable. They made the
same request of the second-most and third-most senior monks, and on both
occasions received the same reply. They then requested each monk in turn until
they reached the most junior monk. And they all gave the same reply. “When
all the monks in a monastery are ignorant and incompetent, and none of them is
able to recite the Monastic Code, they should straightaway send a monk to a
neighboring monastery to learn the Monastic Code, either in brief or in
full.” The monks thought, “Who is responsible for sending someone?”
“The most senior monk should tell a junior monk to go.” Although told by
the senior monk, the junior monks did not go. “If a monk isn’t sick and
he’s told by the most senior monk to go, he should go. If he doesn’t, he
commits an offense of wrong conduct.”

17. The instruction to learn the number of the lunar half-month, etc. When he
had stayed at Codanāvatthu for as long as he liked, the Buddha returned to
Rājagaha. Then, while the monks were walking for almsfood, people asked them
which half-month it was. They replied that they did not know. People
complained and criticized them, “These Sakyan monastics don’t even know
the number of the lunar half-month. So how could they possibly know anything
truly useful?” They told the Buddha. “You should learn the counting of the
lunar half-months.” The monks thought, “Who should learn the counting of
the lunar half-months?” “You should all learn the counting of the lunar
half-months.” On another occasion, while the monks were walking for
almsfood, people asked them how many monks there were. They replied that they
did not know. People complained and criticized them, “These Sakyan monastics
don’t even know about one another. So how could they possibly know anything
truly useful?” “You should count the monks.” The monks thought, “When
should we count the monks?” “You should count the monks on the observance
day, either by name or by distributing tickets.”

On one occasion, monks walked for almsfood in a faraway village, not knowing
that it was the observance day. They arrived back while the Monastic Code was
being recited or even just after. “You should announce, ‘Today is the
observance day.’” The monks thought, “Who should make the
announcement?” “The most senior monk should make the announcement early in
the morning.” Soon afterwards a certain senior monk forgot to make the
announcement early in the morning. “I allow you to make the announcement at
the mealtime too.” He forgot to make the announcement at the mealtime too.
“I allow you to make the announcement whenever you remember.”

18. The instruction to do the prior duties On one occasion in a certain
monastery, the observance-day hall was dirty. Newly-arrived monks complained,
“Why don’t the resident monks sweep the hall?” They told the Buddha.
“You should sweep the observance-day hall.” The monks thought, “Who
should sweep it?” “The most senior monk should tell a junior monk.”
Although told by the senior monk, the junior monks did not sweep. “If a monk
isn’t sick and he’s told by the senior monk to sweep, he should sweep. If
he doesn’t, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.” On one occasion no
seats were prepared in the observance-day hall. The monks sat on the ground.
They got dirty, as did their robes. “You should prepare seats in the
observance-day hall.” The monks thought, “Who should prepare them?”
“The most senior monk should tell a junior monk.” Although told by the
senior monk, the junior monks did not prepare them. “If a monk isn’t sick
and he’s told by the senior monk to prepare the seats, he should do so. If
he doesn’t, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.” On one occasion there
was no lamp in the observance-day hall. Because it was dark, the monks stepped
on one another and on one another’s robes. “You should light a lamp in the
observance-day hall.” The monks thought, “Who should light it?” “The
most senior monk should tell a junior monk.” Although told by the senior
monk, the junior monks did not light a lamp. “If a monk isn’t sick and
he’s told by the senior monk to light a lamp, he should do so. If he
doesn’t, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.” On one occasion in a
certain monastery, the resident monks didn’t set out water for drinking or
water for washing. Newly-arrived monks complained and criticized them, “Why
don’t the resident monks set out water for drinking and water for
washing?” “You should set out water for drinking and water for washing.”
The monks thought, “Who should do it?” “The most senior monk should tell
a junior monk.” Although told by the senior monk, the junior monks did not
do it. “If a monk isn’t sick and he’s told by the senior monk to set
them out, he should do so. If he doesn’t, he commits an offense of wrong
conduct.”

19. Those going to a different region, etc. On one occasion a number of
ignorant and incompetent monks asked permission from their teachers and
preceptors to go to a different region. They told the Buddha. “A number of
ignorant and incompetent monks might ask their teachers and preceptors for
permission to go to a different region. The teachers and preceptors should
then ask them where they’re going and who they’re going with. If they’re
going with others who are ignorant and incompetent, the teachers and
preceptors shouldn’t give them permission. If they do, they commit an
offense of wrong conduct. And if the students go without permission from their
teachers and preceptors, they commit an offense of wrong conduct. A number of
ignorant and incompetent monks may be staying in a certain monastery. They
don’t know about the observance-day ceremony or the observance-day
procedure, nor about the Monastic Code or its recitation. Then a monk arrives
who is learned and a master of the tradition; who is an expert on the
Teaching, the Monastic Law, and the Key Terms; who is knowledgeable and
competent, has a sense of conscience, and is afraid of wrongdoing and fond of
the training. Those monks should treat that learned monk with kindness. They
should assist him and befriend him, and they should attend on him with bath
powder, soap, tooth cleaners, and water for rinsing the mouth. If they don’t
look after him in this way, they commit an offense of wrong conduct. On the
observance day, a number of ignorant and incompetent monks may be staying in a
certain monastery. They don’t know about the observance-day ceremony or the
observance-day procedure, nor about the Monastic Code or its recitation. They
should straightaway send a monk to a neighboring monastery to learn the
Monastic Code, either in brief or in full. If he’s able to do this, it’s
good. If he’s not, then those monks should all go to a monastery where the
monks know about the observance-day ceremony and the observance-day procedure,
and about the Monastic Code and its recitation. If they don’t go, they
commit an offense of wrong conduct. A number of ignorant and incompetent monks
may be spending the rainy-season residence in a certain monastery. They
don’t know about the observance-day ceremony or the observance-day
procedure, nor about the Monastic Code or its recitation. They should
straightaway send a monk to a neighboring monastery to learn the Monastic
Code, either in brief or in full. If he’s able to do this, it’s good. If
he’s not, then a monk should be sent under the seven-day allowance to learn
the Monastic Code, either in brief or in full. If he’s able to do this,
it’s good. If he’s not, then those monks shouldn’t spend the
rainy-season residence in that monastery. If they do, they commit an offense
of wrong conduct.”

20. Discussion of the passing on of purity Then the Buddha addressed the
monks: “Gather, monks, for the Sangha to do the observance-day ceremony.”
A monk said to the Buddha, “Sir, there’s a sick monk. He hasn’t come.”
“A sick monk should pass on his purity. And he should do it like this. The
sick monk should approach a monk, arrange his upper robe over one shoulder,
and squat on his heels. He should then raise his joined palms and say, ‘I
pass on my purity; please convey my purity; please announce my purity.’ If
he makes this understood by body, by speech, or by body and speech, then the
purity has been passed on. If he doesn’t make this understood by body, by
speech, or by body and speech, then the purity hasn’t been passed on. If
he’s able to do this, it’s good. If he’s not, then the sick monk should
be brought into the midst of the Sangha together with his bed or bench. They
can then do the observance-day ceremony. But if the one who is nursing him
says, ‘If we move him, his illness will get worse, or he’ll die,’ then
the sick monk shouldn’t be moved. The Sangha should go to where the sick
monk is and do the observance-day ceremony there. You shouldn’t do the
observance-day ceremony with an incomplete Sangha. If you do, you commit an
offense of wrong conduct. If, after the purity has been passed on to him, the
monk who is conveying the purity goes away right then and there, then the
purity should be passed on to someone else. If, after the purity has been
passed on to him, the monk who is conveying the purity disrobes right then and
there, dies right then and there, admits right then and there that he’s a
novice monk, admits right then and there that he’s renounced the training,
admits right then and there that he’s committed the worst kind of offense,
admits right then and there that he’s insane, admits right then and there
that he’s deranged, admits right then and there that he’s overwhelmed by
pain, admits right then and there that he’s been ejected for not recognizing
an offense, admits right then and there that he’s been ejected for not
making amends for an offense, admits right then and there that he’s been
ejected for not giving up a bad view, admits right then and there that he’s
a <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍaka</i>, admits right then and there
that he’s a fake monk, admits right then and there that he’s previously
left to join the monastics of another religion, admits right then and there
that he’s an animal, admits right then and there that he’s a matricide,
admits right then and there that he’s a patricide, admits right then and
there that he’s a murderer of a perfected one, admits right then and there
that he’s raped a nun, admits right then and there that he’s caused a
schism in the Sangha, admits right then and there that he’s caused the
Buddha to bleed, or admits right then and there that he’s a gynandromorph,
then the purity should be passed on to someone else. If, after the purity has
been passed on to him, the monk who is conveying the purity goes away while on
his way to the observance-day ceremony, then the purity hasn’t been brought.
If, after the purity has been passed on to him, the monk who is conveying the
purity disrobes while on his way to the observance-day ceremony … or admits
that he’s a gynandromorph while on his way to the observance-day ceremony,
then the purity hasn’t been brought. But if, after the purity has been
passed on to him, the monk who is conveying the purity goes away after
reaching the Sangha, then the purity has been brought. And if, after the
purity has been passed on to him, the monk who is conveying the purity
disrobes after reaching the Sangha … or admits that he’s a gynandromorph
after reaching the Sangha, then the purity has been brought. And if, after the
purity has been passed on to him, the monk who is conveying the purity reaches
the Sangha, but doesn’t announce the purity because he falls asleep or is
heedless or gains a meditation attainment, then the purity has been brought.
There’s no offense for the one who is conveying the purity. And if, after
the purity has been passed on to him, the monk who is conveying the purity
reaches the Sangha, but deliberately doesn’t announce the purity, then the
purity has been brought. But there’s an offense of wrong conduct for the one
who is conveying the purity.”

21. Discussion on giving consent The Buddha addressed the monks: “Gather,
monks, for the Sangha to do a legal procedure.” A monk said to the Buddha,
“Sir, there’s a sick monk. He hasn’t come.” “A sick monk should give
his consent. And he should give like this. The sick monk should approach a
monk, arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, and squat on his heels. He
should then raise his joined palms and say, ‘I give my consent; please
convey my consent; please announce my consent.’ If he makes this understood
by body, by speech, or by body and speech, then the consent has been given. If
he doesn’t make this understood by body, by speech, or by body and speech,
then the consent hasn’t been given. If he’s able to do this, it’s good.
If he’s not, then the sick monk should be brought into the midst of the
Sangha together with his bed or bench. They can then do the procedure. But if
the one who is nursing him says, ‘If we move him, his illness will get
worse, or he’ll die,’ then the sick monk shouldn’t be moved. The Sangha
should go to where the sick monk is and do the procedure there. You
shouldn’t do a legal procedure with an incomplete sangha. If you do, you
commit an offense of wrong conduct. If, after the consent has been given to
him, the monk who is conveying the consent goes away right then and there,
then the consent should be given to someone else. If, after the consent has
been given to him, the monk who is conveying the consent disrobes right then
and there, dies right then and there, admits right then and there that he’s
a novice monk, admits right then and there that he’s renounced the training,
admits right then and there that he’s committed the worst kind of offense,
admits right then and there that he’s insane, admits right then and there
that he’s deranged, admits right then and there that he’s overwhelmed by
pain, admits right then and there that he’s been ejected for not recognizing
an offense, admits right then and there that he’s been ejected for not
making amends for an offense, admits right then and there that he’s been
ejected for not giving up a bad view, admits right then and there that he’s
a <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍaka</i>, admits right then and there
that he’s a fake monk, admits right then and there that he’s previously
left to join the monastics of another religion, admits right then and there
that he’s an animal, admits right then and there that he’s a matricide,
admits right then and there that he’s a patricide, admits right then and
there that he’s a murderer of a perfected one, admits right then and there
that he’s raped a nun, admits right then and there that he’s caused a
schism in the Sangha, admits right then and there that he’s caused the
Buddha to bleed, or admits right then and there that he’s a gynandromorph,
then the consent should be given to someone else. If, after the consent has
been given to him, the monk who is conveying the consent goes away while on
his way to the legal procedure, then the consent hasn’t been brought. If,
after the consent has been given to him, the monk who is conveying the consent
disrobes while on his way to the legal procedure … or admits that he’s a
gynandromorph while on his way to the legal procedure, then the consent
hasn’t been brought. But if, after the consent has been given to him, the
monk who is conveying the consent goes away after reaching the Sangha, then
the consent has been brought. And if, after the consent has been given to him,
the monk who is conveying the consent disrobes after reaching the Sangha …
or admits that he’s a gynandromorph after reaching the Sangha, then the
consent has been brought. And if, after the consent has been given to him, the
monk who is conveying the consent reaches the Sangha, but doesn’t announce
the consent because he falls asleep or is heedless or gains a meditation
attainment, then the consent has been brought. There’s no offense for the
one who is conveying the consent. And if, after the consent has been given to
him, the monk who is conveying the consent reaches the Sangha, but
deliberately doesn’t announce the consent, then the consent has been
brought. But there is an offense of wrong conduct for the one who is conveying
the consent. On the observance day, if the Sangha has business to be done,
then anyone passing on their purity should also give their consent.”

22. Discussion on being seized by relatives, etc. At one time on the
observance day, a certain monk was seized by his relatives. They told the
Buddha. “If a monk is seized by his relatives on the observance day, other
monks should say to those relatives, ‘Listen, please release this monk for a
short time so that he can take part in the observance-day ceremony.’ If
they’re able to do this, it’s good. If not, they should say to those
relatives, ‘Listen, please step aside for a moment while this monk passes on
his purity.’ If they’re able to do this, it’s good. If not, they should
say to those relatives, ‘Listen, please take this monk outside the monastery
zone for a short time while the Sangha does the observance-day ceremony.’ If
they’re able to do this, it’s good. If not, you shouldn’t do the
observance-day ceremony with an incomplete sangha. If you do, you commit an
offense of wrong conduct. If on the observance day a monk is seized by kings,
by bandits, by scoundrels, or by enemies of the monks, other monks should say
to those enemies, ‘Listen, please release this monk for a short time so that
he can take part in the observance-day ceremony.’ If they’re able to do
this, it’s good. If not, they should say to those enemies, ‘Listen, please
step aside for a moment while this monk passes on his purity.’ If they’re
able to do this, it’s good. If not, they should say to those enemies,
‘Listen, please take this monk outside the monastery zone for a short time
while the Sangha does the observance-day ceremony.’ If they’re able to do
this, it’s good. If not, you shouldn’t do the observance-day ceremony with
an incomplete sangha. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

23. Agreement in regard to insanity Then the Buddha addressed the monks:
“Gather, monks, there’s business for the Sangha.” A monk said to the
Buddha, “Sir, there’s a monk called Gagga who is insane. He hasn’t
come.” “Monks, there are two kinds of insane monks: there is the insane
monk who sometimes remembers the observance day and sometimes doesn’t, who
sometimes remembers the legal procedures of the Sangha and sometimes
doesn’t, who sometimes goes to the observance-day ceremony and sometimes
doesn’t, who sometimes goes to the legal procedures of the Sangha and
sometimes doesn’t. Then there’s the insane monk who never remembers any of
this. For the first one of these, you should make an agreement in regard to
insanity. And it should be made like this. A competent and capable monk should
inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The monk
Gagga is insane. Sometimes he remembers the observance day and sometimes he
doesn’t; sometimes he remembers the legal procedures of the Sangha and
sometimes he doesn’t; sometimes he goes to the observance-day ceremony and
sometimes he doesn’t; sometimes he goes to the legal procedures of the
Sangha and sometimes he doesn’t. If the Sangha is ready, it should agree on
the following in regard to the insanity of the monk Gagga: whether or not
Gagga remembers either the observance day or the legal procedures of the
Sangha, whether or not he goes either to the observance day or to the legal
procedures of the Sangha, the Sangha should do the observance-day ceremony, it
should do the legal procedures of the Sangha, with or without Gagga. This is
the motion. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The monk Gagga is
insane. Sometimes he remembers the observance day and sometimes he doesn’t;
sometimes he remembers the legal procedures of the Sangha and sometimes he
doesn’t; sometimes he goes to the observance-day ceremony and sometimes he
doesn’t; sometimes he goes to the legal procedures of the Sangha and
sometimes he doesn’t. The Sangha agrees on the following in regard to the
insanity of the monk Gagga: whether or not Gagga remembers either the
observance day or the legal procedures of the Sangha, whether or not he goes
either to the observance day or to the legal procedures of the Sangha, the
Sangha should do the observance-day ceremony, it should do the legal
procedures of the Sangha, with or without Gagga. Any monk who approves of this
agreement—whether or not Gagga remembers either the observance day or the
legal procedures of the Sangha, whether or not he goes either to the
observance day or to the legal procedures of the Sangha, the Sangha should do
the observance-day ceremony, it should do the legal procedures of the Sangha,
with or without Gagga—should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve
should speak up. The Sangha has agreed on the following in regard to the
insanity of the monk Gagga: whether or not Gagga remembers either the
observance-day ceremony or the legal procedures of the Sangha, whether or not
he goes either to the observance day or to the legal procedures of the Sangha,
the Sangha should do the observance-day ceremony, it should do the legal
procedures of the Sangha, with or without Gagga. The Sangha approves and is
therefore silent. I will  remember it thus.’”

24. Various kinds of observance days for the Sangha, etc. At one time on the
observance day, there were four monks staying in a certain monastery. They
thought, “The Buddha has laid down a rule that the observance-day ceremony
should be done. Now there’s four of us. So how should we do the
observance-day ceremony?” They told the Buddha. “When there are four of
you, you should recite the Monastic Code.” At one time on the observance
day, there were three monks staying in a certain monastery. They thought,
“The Buddha has instructed that the Monastic Code should be recited when
there are four monks. But there’s only three of us. So how should we do the
observance-day ceremony?” “When there are three of you, you should do the
observance-day ceremony by declaring your purity. And you should do it like
this. A competent and capable monk should inform those monks: ‘Please,
venerables, I ask you to listen. Today is the observance day, the fifteenth.
If the venerables are ready, we should do the observance-day ceremony by
declaring purity to one another.’ The most senior monk should arrange his
upper robe over one shoulder, squat on his heels, raise his joined palms, and
say to the other monks: ‘I’m pure. Please remember me as pure.’ And he
should repeat this two more times. Each junior monk should arrange his upper
robe over one shoulder, squat on his heels, raise his joined palms, and say to
the other monks: ‘I’m pure, venerable. Please remember me as pure.’ And
he should repeat this two more times.” At one time on the observance day,
there were two monks staying in a certain monastery. They thought, “The
Buddha has instructed that the Monastic Code should be recited when there are
four monks and that the observance-day ceremony should be done by declaring
purity when there are three. But there’s only two of us. So how should we do
the observance-day ceremony?” “When there are two of you, you should do
the observance-day ceremony by declaring your purity. And you should do it
like this. The senior monk should arrange his upper robe over one shoulder,
squat on his heels, raise his joined palms, and say to the junior monk:
‘I’m pure. Please remember me as pure.’ And he should repeat this two
more times. The junior monk should arrange his upper robe over one shoulder,
squat on his heels, raise his joined palms, and say to the senior monk:
‘I’m pure, venerable. Please remember me as pure.’ And he should repeat
this two more times.” At one time on the observance day, a monk was staying
in a certain monastery by himself. He thought, “The Buddha has instructed
that the Monastic Code should be recited when there are four monks and that
the observance-day ceremony should be done by declaring purity when there are
two or three. But I’m here by myself. So how should I do the observance-day
ceremony?” “On the observance day, a monk may be staying by himself in a
certain monastery. He should sweep the place where the monks normally go:
whether the assembly hall, under a roof cover, or at the foot of a tree. He
should set out water for drinking and water for washing. He should prepare a
seat, light a lamp, and sit down. If other monks arrive, he should do the
observance-day ceremony with them. If not, he should determine: ‘Today is my
observance day.’ If he doesn’t make a determination, he commits an offense
of wrong conduct. Wherever four monks are staying together, three shouldn’t
recite the Monastic Code, while the purity of the fourth is brought. If you do
recite the Monastic Code, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. Wherever
three monks are staying together, two shouldn’t do the observance-day
ceremony by declaring purity, while the purity of the third is brought. If you
do declare purity, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. Wherever two monks
are staying together, one shouldn’t make a determination, while the purity
of the other is brought. If you do make a determination, you commit an offense
of wrong conduct.”

25. The process for making amends for an offense At one time on the observance
day, a certain monk committed an offense. He thought, “The Buddha has laid
down a rule that one shouldn’t do the observance-day ceremony if one has an
unconfessed offense. And I’ve committed an offense. So what should I do?”
They told the Buddha. “On the observance day, a monk may have committed an
offense. He should approach a single monk, arrange his upper robe over one
shoulder, squat on his heels, raise his joined palms, and say: ‘I’ve
committed such-and-such an offense. I confess it.’ The other should say,
‘Do you recognize it?’ —‘Yes, I recognize it.’ —‘You should
restrain yourself in the future.’ On the observance day, a monk may be
unsure if he’s committed an offense. He should approach a single monk,
arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, squat on his heels, raise his joined
palms, and say: ‘I’m unsure if I’ve committed such-and-such an offense.
I’ll make amends for it when I’m sure.’ He can then take part in the
observance-day ceremony and listen to the recitation of the Monastic Code.
This is not an obstacle to doing the observance-day ceremony.” On one
occasion the monks from the group of six confessed shared offenses with one
another. “You shouldn’t confess shared offenses with one another. If you
do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.” On one occasion the monks from
the group of six received the confession of shared offenses from one another.
“You shouldn’t receive the confession of shared offenses from one another.
If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.” 26. The process for
revealing an offense At one time a certain monk remembered an offense while
the Monastic Code was being recited. He thought, “The Buddha has laid down a
rule that one shouldn’t do the observance-day ceremony if one has an
unconfessed offense. And I’ve committed an offense. So what should I do?”
They told the Buddha. “A monk may remember an offense while the Monastic
Code is being recited. He should say to a monk sitting next to him, ‘I’ve
committed such-and-such an offense. Once this ceremony is finished, I’ll
make amends for it.’ They can then continue the observance-day ceremony and
listen to the recitation of the Monastic Code. This is not an obstacle to
doing the observance-day ceremony. A monk may become unsure if he’s
committed an offense while the Monastic Code is being recited. He should say
to a monk sitting next to him, ‘I’m unsure if I’ve committed
such-and-such an offense. I’ll make amends for it when I’m sure.’ They
can then continue the observance-day ceremony and listen to the recitation of
the Monastic Code. This is not an obstacle to doing the observance-day
ceremony.” 27. The process for making amends for a shared offense At one
time on the observance day, the whole Sangha in a certain monastery had
committed the same offense. The monks thought, “The Buddha has laid down a
rule that one shouldn’t confess or receive the confession of shared
offenses. Yet here the whole Sangha has committed the same offense. So what
should we do?” “On the observance day, the whole Sangha in a certain
monastery may have committed the same offense. Those monks should straightaway
send a monk to a neighboring monastery: ‘Go and make amends for this
offense. When you return, we’ll make amends for it with you.’ If he’s
able to do this, it’s good. If he’s not, then a competent and capable monk
should inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen.
This whole Sangha has committed the same offense. When the Sangha sees another
monk who is pure and free of offenses, it should make amends for this offense
with him.’ Once this has been said, they can do the observance-day ceremony
and listen to the recitation of the Monastic Code. This is not an obstacle to
doing the observance-day ceremony. On the observance day, the whole Sangha in
a certain monastery may be unsure if it has committed the same offense. A
competent and capable monk should then inform the Sangha: ‘Please,
venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. This whole Sangha is unsure if it has
committed the same offense. When the Sangha is sure, it should make amends for
this offense.’ Once this has been said, they can do the observance-day
ceremony and listen to the recitation of the Monastic Code. This is not an
obstacle to doing the observance-day ceremony. When a sangha has entered the
rainy-season residence in a certain monastery, it may happen that the whole
Sangha has committed the same offense. Those monks should straightaway send a
monk to a neighboring monastery: ‘Go and make amends for this offense. When
you return, we’ll make amends for it with you.’ If he’s able to do this,
it’s good. If he’s not, they should send a monk under the seven-day
allowance: ‘Go and make amends for this offense. When you return, we’ll
make amends for it with you.’” Soon afterwards the whole Sangha in a
certain monastery had committed the same offense. They did not know the name
or the category of that offense. Then a monk arrived who was learned and a
master of the tradition; who was an expert on the Teaching, the Monastic Law,
and the Key Terms; who was knowledgeable and competent, had a sense of
conscience, and was afraid of wrongdoing and fond of the training. A monk went
up to him and asked, “When someone does such-and-such, what’s the name of
the offense he’s committed?” The learned monk replied, “When someone
does such-and-such, he’s committed an offense of this name. If you have
committed this offense, you should make amends for it.” The other monk said,
“It’s not just I alone who have committed this offense, but this whole
Sangha.” The learned monk said, “What does it matter to you whether others
have or haven’t committed an offense? Please clear yourself of your own
offense.” Then, because of what the learned monk had said, the other monk
made amends for that offense. He then went to the other monks and said,
“When someone does such-and-such, he’s committed an offense of this name.
This is the offense that you’ve committed. You should make amends for it.”
But in spite of what he had said, those monks did not want to make amends for
that offense. They told the Buddha. “In a case such as this, if those monks
do make amends for that offense because of what that monk has said, then this
is good. If they don’t, then that monk doesn’t need to correct them if he
doesn’t want to.” The second section for recitation on the grounds for
accusations is finished.

28. The group of fifteen on non-offenses At one time on the observance day,
four or more resident monks had gathered together in a certain monastery. They
did not know that there were other resident monks who had not arrived.
Perceiving that they were acting according to the Teaching and the Monastic
Law, perceiving that the assembly was complete although it was not, they did
the observance-day ceremony and recited the Monastic Code. While they were
doing it, a greater number of resident monks arrived. They told the Buddha.
“On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident
monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the
Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete
although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code. While they’re doing it, a greater number of resident monks
arrive. In such a case, those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more.
There’s no offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more
resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They don’t
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that
they’re acting according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving
that the assembly is complete although it’s not, they do the observance-day
ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While they’re doing it, an equal
number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is
valid, and the remainder should be listened to. There’s no offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident
monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the
Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete
although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code. While they’re doing it, a smaller number of resident monks
arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the remainder
should be listened to. There’s no offense for the reciters. On the
observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a
certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident monks who
haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the Teaching
and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete although it’s
not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. When
they’ve just finished, a greater number of resident monks arrive. In such a
case, those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more. There’s no
offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks
may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are
other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting
according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly
is complete although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and
recite the Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, an equal number of
resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the
late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of the others.
There’s no offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more
resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They don’t
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that
they’re acting according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving
that the assembly is complete although it’s not, they do the observance-day
ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, a smaller
number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is
valid, and the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of
the others. There’s no offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four
or more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
don’t know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving
that they’re acting according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law,
perceiving that the assembly is complete although it’s not, they do the
observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. When they’ve just
finished, and none of the gathering has left, a greater number of resident
monks arrive. In such a case, those monks should recite the Monastic Code once
more. There’s no offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or
more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
don’t know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving
that they’re acting according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law,
perceiving that the assembly is complete although it’s not, they do the
observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. When they’ve just
finished, and none of the gathering has left, an equal number of resident
monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the late
arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of the others. There’s
no offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident
monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They don’t know
there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that
they’re acting according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving
that the assembly is complete although it’s not, they do the observance-day
ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, and none
of the gathering has left, a smaller number of resident monks arrive. In such
a case, what has been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should announce
their purity in the presence of the others. There’s no offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident
monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the
Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete
although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, and only some members of the
gathering have left, a greater number of resident monks arrive. In such a
case, those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more. There’s no
offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks
may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are
other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting
according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly
is complete although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and
recite the Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, and only some members
of the gathering have left, an equal number of resident monks arrive. In such
a case, what has been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should announce
their purity in the presence of the others. There’s no offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident
monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the
Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete
although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, and only some members of the
gathering have left, a smaller number of resident monks arrive. In such a
case, what has been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should announce
their purity in the presence of the others. There’s no offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident
monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the
Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete
although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, and the entire gathering has
left, a greater number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, those monks
should recite the Monastic Code once more. There’s no offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident
monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the
Teaching and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete
although it’s not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished, and the entire gathering has
left, an equal number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been
recited is valid, and the late arrivals should announce their purity in the
presence of the others. There’s no offense for the reciters. On the
observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a
certain monastery. They don’t know there are other resident monks who
haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the Teaching
and the Monastic Law, perceiving that the assembly is complete although it’s
not, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. When
they’ve just finished, and the entire gathering has left, a smaller number
of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and
the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of the others.
There’s no offense for the reciters.” The group of fifteen on non-offenses
is finished.

29. The group of fifteen on perceiving an incomplete assembly as incomplete
“On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who
haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the Teaching
and the Monastic Law, yet correctly perceiving the assembly as incomplete,
they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While
they’re doing it, a greater number of resident monks arrive. In such a case,
those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more. There’s an offense of
wrong conduct for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident
monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They know there are
other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting
according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law, yet correctly perceiving the
assembly as incomplete, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code. While they’re doing it, an equal number of resident monks
arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the remainder
should be listened to. There’s an offense of wrong conduct for the reciters.
On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together
in a certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. Perceiving that they’re acting according to the Teaching and the
Monastic Law, yet correctly perceiving the assembly as incomplete, they do the
observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While they’re doing
it, a smaller number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been
recited is valid, and the remainder should be listened to. There’s an
offense of wrong conduct for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more
resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They know
there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. Perceiving that
they’re acting according to the Teaching and the Monastic Law, yet correctly
perceiving the assembly as incomplete, they do the observance-day ceremony and
recite the Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished … When they’ve just
finished, and none of the gathering has left … When they’ve just finished,
and only some members of the gathering have left … When they’ve just
finished, and the entire gathering has left, a greater number of resident
monks arrive … an equal number of resident monks arrive … a smaller number
of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and
the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of the others.
There’s an offense of wrong conduct for the reciters.” The group of
fifteen on perceiving an incomplete assembly as incomplete is finished.

30. The group of fifteen on being unsure “On the observance day, four or
more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘Is
it allowable for us to do the observance-day ceremony or not?’ Being unsure,
they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While
they’re doing it, a greater number of resident monks arrive. In such a case,
those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more. There’s an offense of
wrong conduct for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident
monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They know there are
other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘Is it allowable for
us to do the observance-day ceremony or not?’ Being unsure, they do the
observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While they’re doing
it, an equal number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been
recited is valid, and the remainder should be listened to. There’s an
offense of wrong conduct for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more
resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They know
there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘Is it
allowable for us to do the observance-day ceremony or not?’ Being unsure,
they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While
they’re doing it, a smaller number of resident monks arrive. In such a case,
what has been recited is valid, and the remainder should be listened to.
There’s an offense of wrong conduct for the reciters. On the observance day,
four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery.
They know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think,
‘Is it allowable for us to do the observance-day ceremony or not?’ Being
unsure, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. When
they’ve just finished … When they’ve just finished, and none of the
gathering has left … When they’ve just finished, and only some members of
the gathering have left … When they’ve just finished, and the entire
gathering has left, a greater number of resident monks arrive … an equal
number of resident monks arrive … a smaller number of resident monks arrive.
In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should
announce their purity in the presence of the others. There’s an offense of
wrong conduct for the reciters.” The group of fifteen on being unsure is
finished.

31. The group of fifteen on being anxious “On the observance day, four or
more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think,
‘It’s allowable for us to do the observance-day ceremony; it’s not
unallowable.’ Being anxious, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite
the Monastic Code. While they’re doing it, a greater number of resident
monks arrive. In such a case, those monks should recite the Monastic Code once
more. There’s an offense of wrong conduct for the reciters. On the
observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a
certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. They think, ‘It’s allowable for us to do the observance-day
ceremony; it’s not unallowable.’ Being anxious, they do the observance-day
ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While they’re doing it, an equal
number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is
valid, and the remainder should be listened to. There’s an offense of wrong
conduct for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks
may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They know there are other
resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘It’s allowable for us
to do the observance-day ceremony; it’s not unallowable.’ Being anxious,
they do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code. While
they’re doing it, a smaller number of resident monks arrive. In such a case,
what has been recited is valid, and the remainder should be listened to.
There’s an offense of wrong conduct for the reciters. On the observance day,
four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery.
They know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think,
‘It’s allowable for us to do the observance-day ceremony; it’s not
unallowable.’ Being anxious, they do the observance-day ceremony and recite
the Monastic Code. When they’ve just finished … When they’ve just
finished, and none of the gathering has left … When they’ve just finished,
and only some members of the gathering have left … When they’ve just
finished, and the entire gathering has left, a greater number of resident
monks arrive … an equal number of resident monks arrive … a smaller number
of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and
the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of the others.
There’s an offense of wrong conduct for the reciters.” The group of
fifteen on being anxious is finished.

32. The group of fifteen on aiming at schism “On the observance day, four or
more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May
they get lost! May they disappear! We are better off without them.’ They
then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code, aiming at
schism. While they’re doing it, a greater number of resident monks arrive.
In such a case, those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more. And
there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or
more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May
they get lost! May they disappear! We are better off without them.’ They
then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code, aiming at
schism. While they’re doing it, an equal number of resident monks arrive. In
such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the remainder should be
listened to. And there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On the
observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a
certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are better
off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code, aiming at schism. While they’re doing it, a smaller number of
resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the
remainder should be listened to. And there’s a serious offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who
haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We
are better off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and
recite the Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, a
greater number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, those monks should
recite the Monastic Code once more. And there’s a serious offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who
haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We
are better off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and
recite the Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, an
equal number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited
is valid, and the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence
of the others. And there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On the
observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a
certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are better
off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, a smaller
number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is
valid, and the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of
the others. And there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On the
observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a
certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are better
off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, and none of the
gathering has left, a greater number of resident monks arrive. In such a case,
those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more. And there’s a serious
offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks
may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They know there are other
resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May
they disappear! We are better off without them.’ They then do the
observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When
they’ve just finished, and none of the gathering has left, an equal number
of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and
the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence of the others.
And there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four
or more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May
they get lost! May they disappear! We are better off without them.’ They
then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code, aiming at
schism. When they’ve just finished, and none of the gathering has left, a
smaller number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has been recited
is valid, and the late arrivals should announce their purity in the presence
of the others. And there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On the
observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a
certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are better
off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, and only some
members of the gathering have left, a greater number of resident monks arrive.
In such a case, those monks should recite the Monastic Code once more. And
there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or
more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They
know there are other resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May
they get lost! May they disappear! We are better off without them.’ They
then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code, aiming at
schism. When they’ve just finished, and only some members of the gathering
have left, an equal number of resident monks arrive. In such a case, what has
been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should announce their purity in
the presence of the others. And there’s a serious offense for the reciters.
On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together
in a certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are better
off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, and only some
members of the gathering have left, a smaller number of resident monks arrive.
In such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should
announce their purity in the presence of the others. And there’s a serious
offense for the reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks
may have gathered together in a certain monastery. They know there are other
resident monks who haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May
they disappear! We are better off without them.’ They then do the
observance-day ceremony and recite the Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When
they’ve just finished, and the entire gathering has left, a greater number
of resident monks arrive. In such a case, those monks should recite the
Monastic Code once more. And there’s a serious offense for the reciters. On
the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in
a certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who haven’t
arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are better
off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and recite the
Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, and the entire
gathering has left, an equal number of resident monks arrive. In such a case,
what has been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should announce their
purity in the presence of the others. And there’s a serious offense for the
reciters. On the observance day, four or more resident monks may have gathered
together in a certain monastery. They know there are other resident monks who
haven’t arrived. They think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We
are better off without them.’ They then do the observance-day ceremony and
recite the Monastic Code, aiming at schism. When they’ve just finished, and
the entire gathering has left, a smaller number of resident monks arrive. In
such a case, what has been recited is valid, and the late arrivals should
announce their purity in the presence of the others. And there’s a serious
offense for the reciters.” The group of fifteen on aiming at schism is
finished. The group of seventy-five is finished.

33. The successive series on entering a monastery zone “On the observance
day, four or more resident monks may have gathered together in a certain
monastery. They don’t know that other resident monks are entering the
monastery zone. … They don’t know that other resident monks have entered
the monastery zone. … They don’t see that other resident monks are
entering the monastery zone. … They don’t see that other resident monks
have entered the monastery zone. … They don’t hear that other resident
monks are entering the monastery zone. … They don’t hear that other
resident monks have entered the monastery zone. …” As there are one
hundred and seventy-five sets of three for resident monks with resident monks,
so there are for newly-arrived monks with resident monks, resident monks with
newly-arrived monks, newly-arrived monks with newly-arrived monks. Thus by way
of succession, there are seven hundred sets of three.

“It may be, monks, that for the resident monks it’s the fourteenth day of
the lunar half-month, but for the newly-arrived monks it’s the fifteenth.
Then—If the number of resident monks is greater, the newly-arrived monks
should fall in line with the resident monks. If the number is the same, the
newly-arrived monks should fall in line with the resident monks. If the number
of newly-arrived monks is greater, the resident monks should fall in line with
the newly-arrived monks. It may be that for the resident monks it’s the
fifteenth day of the lunar half-month, but for the newly-arrived monks it’s
the fourteenth. Then—If the number of resident monks is greater, the
newly-arrived monks should fall in line with the resident monks. If the number
is the same, the newly-arrived monks should fall in line with the resident
monks. If the number of newly-arrived monks is greater, the resident monks
should fall in line with the newly-arrived monks. It may be that for the
resident monks it’s the day after the observance day, but for the
newly-arrived monks it’s the fifteenth day of the lunar half-month.
Then—If the number of resident monks is greater, the resident monks may, if
they’re willing, do the observance-day ceremony with the newly-arrived
monks. Otherwise the newly-arrived monks should go outside the monastery zone
and do the observance-day ceremony there. If the number is the same, the
resident monks may, if they’re willing, do the observance-day ceremony with
the newly-arrived monks. Otherwise the newly-arrived monks should go outside
the monastery zone and do the observance-day ceremony there. If the number of
newly-arrived monks is greater, the resident monks should do the
observance-day ceremony with the newly-arrived monks, or they should go
outside the monastery zone while the newly-arrived monks do the observance-day
ceremony. It may be that for the resident monks it’s the fifteenth day of
the lunar half-month, but for the newly-arrived monks it’s the day after the
observance day. Then—If the number of resident monks is greater, the
newly-arrived monks should do the observance-day ceremony with the resident
monks, or they should go outside the monastery zone while the resident monks
do the observance-day ceremony. If the number is the same, the newly-arrived
monks should do the observance-day ceremony with the resident monks, or they
should go outside the monastery zone while the resident monks do the
observance-day ceremony. If the number of newly-arrived monks is greater, they
may, if they’re willing, do the observance-day ceremony with the resident
monks. Otherwise the resident monks should go outside the monastery zone and
do the observance-day ceremony there.” 34. The seeing of characteristics,
etc. “It may happen that newly-arrived monks see signs and indications of
resident monks: beds and benches that are made up, water for drinking and
water for washing that are ready for use, yards that are well swept. As a
consequence, they’re unsure whether or not there are resident monks there.
Then—If they do the observance-day ceremony without investigating, there’s
an offense of wrong conduct. If they investigate, but don’t see anyone, and
then do the observance-day ceremony, there’s no offense. If they
investigate, and they see someone, and then do the observance-day ceremony
together, there’s no offense. If they investigate, and they see someone, but
then do the observance-day ceremony separately, there’s an offense of wrong
conduct. If they investigate, and they see someone, but think, ‘May they get
lost! May they disappear! We are better off without them,’ and then do the
observance-day ceremony aiming at schism, there’s a serious offense. It may
happen that newly-arrived monks hear signs and indications of resident monks:
the sound of the feet of someone doing walking meditation, the sound of
recitation, the sound of coughing, the sound of sneezing. As a consequence,
they’re unsure whether or not there are resident monks there. Then—If they
do the observance-day ceremony without investigating, there’s an offense of
wrong conduct. If they investigate, but don’t see anyone, and then do the
observance-day ceremony, there’s no offense. If they investigate, and they
see someone, and then do the observance-day ceremony together, there’s no
offense. If they investigate, and they see someone, but then do the
observance-day ceremony separately, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If
they investigate, and they see someone, but think, ‘May they get lost! May
they disappear! We are better off without them,’ and then do the
observance-day ceremony aiming at schism, there’s a serious offense. It may
happen that resident monks see signs and indications of newly-arrived monks:
an unknown almsbowl, an unknown robe, an unknown sitting mat, water poured on
the ground from the washing of feet. As a consequence, they’re unsure
whether or not monks have arrived. Then—If they do the observance-day
ceremony without investigating, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If they
investigate, but don’t see anyone, and then do the observance-day ceremony,
there’s no offense. If they investigate, and they see someone, and then do
the observance-day ceremony together, there’s no offense. If they
investigate, and they see someone, but then do the observance-day ceremony
separately, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If they investigate, and
they see someone, but think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are
better off without them,’ and then do the observance-day ceremony aiming at
schism, there’s a serious offense. It may happen that resident monks hear
signs and indications of newly-arrived monks: the sound of the feet of someone
arriving, the sound of sandals being knocked together, the sound of coughing,
the sound of sneezing. As a consequence, they’re unsure whether or not monks
have arrived. Then—If they do the observance-day ceremony without
investigating, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If they investigate, but
don’t see anyone, and then do the observance-day ceremony, there’s no
offense. If they investigate, and they see someone, and then do the
observance-day ceremony together, there’s no offense. If they investigate,
and they see someone, but then do the observance-day ceremony separately,
there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If they investigate, and they see
someone, but think, ‘May they get lost! May they disappear! We are better
off without them,’ and then do the observance-day ceremony aiming at schism,
there’s a serious offense.” 35. The doing of the observance-day ceremony
with those belonging to a different Buddhist sect, etc. “It may happen that
newly-arrived monks see resident monks who belong to a different Buddhist
sect, but they have the view that they belong to the same one. Then—If they
don’t ask the resident monks about it, and then do the observance-day
ceremony together, there’s no offense. If they do ask the resident monks
about it, but don’t reach a clear conclusion, and then do the observance-day
ceremony together, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If they do ask the
resident monks about it, but don’t reach a clear conclusion, and then do the
observance-day ceremony separately, there’s no offense. It may happen that
newly-arrived monks see resident monks who belong to the same Buddhist sect,
but they have the view that they belong to a different one. Then—If they
don’t ask the resident monks about it, and then do the observance-day
ceremony together, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If they do ask the
resident monks about it, and they change their view, but then do the
observance-day ceremony separately, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If
they do ask the resident monks about it, and they change their view, and then
do the observance-day ceremony together, there’s no offense. It may happen
that resident monks see newly-arrived monks who belong to a different Buddhist
sect, but they have the view that they belong to the same one. Then—If they
don’t ask the newly-arrived monks about it, and then do the observance-day
ceremony together, there’s no offense. If they do ask the newly-arrived
monks about it, but don’t reach a clear conclusion, and then do the
observance-day ceremony together, there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If
they do ask the newly-arrived monks about it, but don’t reach a clear
conclusion, and then do the observance-day ceremony separately, there’s no
offense. It may happen that resident monks see newly-arrived monks who belong
to the same Buddhist sect, but they have the view that they belong to a
different one. Then—If they don’t ask the newly-arrived monks about it,
and then do the observance-day ceremony together, there’s an offense of
wrong conduct. If they do ask the newly-arrived monks about it, and they
change their view, but then do the observance-day ceremony separately,
there’s an offense of wrong conduct. If they do ask the newly-arrived monks
about it, and they change their view, and then do the observance-day ceremony
together, there’s no offense.”

36. The section on “you shouldn’t go” “On the observance day you
shouldn’t go from a monastery with monks to one without monks, except if you
go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t
go from a monastery with monks to a non-monastery without monks, except if you
go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t
go from a monastery with monks to a monastery or a non-monastery without
monks, except if you go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance
day you shouldn’t go from a non-monastery with monks to a monastery without
monks, except if you go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance
day you shouldn’t go from a non-monastery with monks to a non-monastery
without monks, except if you go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the
observance day you shouldn’t go from a non-monastery with monks to a
monastery or a non-monastery without monks, except if you go with a sangha or
there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t go from a monastery
or a non-monastery with monks to a monastery without monks, except if you go
with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t go
from a monastery or a non-monastery with monks to a non-monastery without
monks, except if you go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance
day you shouldn’t go from a monastery or a non-monastery with monks to a
monastery or a non-monastery without monks, except if you go with a sangha or
there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t go from a monastery
with monks to one with monks who belong to a different Buddhist sect, except
if you go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance day you
shouldn’t go from a monastery with monks to a non-monastery with monks who
belong to a different Buddhist sect, except if you go with a sangha or there
are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t go from a monastery with
monks to a monastery or a non-monastery with monks who belong to a different
Buddhist sect, except if you go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the
observance day you shouldn’t go from a non-monastery with monks to a
monastery with monks who belong to a different Buddhist sect, except if you go
with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t go
from a non-monastery with monks to a non-monastery with monks who belong to a
different Buddhist sect, except if you go with a sangha or there are dangers.
On the observance day you shouldn’t go from a non-monastery with monks to a
monastery or a non-monastery with monks who belong to a different Buddhist
sect, except if you go with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance
day you shouldn’t go from a monastery or a non-monastery with monks to a
monastery with monks who belong to a different Buddhist sect, except if you go
with a sangha or there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t go
from a monastery or a non-monastery with monks to a non-monastery with monks
who belong to a different Buddhist sect, except if you go with a sangha or
there are dangers. On the observance day you shouldn’t go from a monastery
or a non-monastery with monks to a monastery or a non-monastery with monks who
belong to a different Buddhist sect, except if you go with a sangha or there
are dangers.” 37. The section on “you may go” “On the observance day
you may go from a monastery with monks to one with monks who belong to the
same Buddhist sect if you know you’ll get there on the same day. On the
observance day you may go from a monastery with monks to a non-monastery with
monks … to a monastery or a non-monastery with monks who belong to the same
Buddhist sect if you know you’ll get there on the same day. On the
observance day you may go from a non-monastery with monks to a monastery with
monks … to a non-monastery with monks … to a monastery or a non-monastery
with monks who belong to the same Buddhist sect if you know you’ll get there
on the same day. On the observance day you may go from a monastery or a
non-monastery with monks to a monastery with monks … to a non-monastery with
monks … to a monastery or a non-monastery with monks who belong to the same
Buddhist sect if you know you’ll get there on the same day.”

38. The identification of persons to be avoided “You shouldn’t recite the
Monastic Code with a nun seated in the gathering. If you do, you commit an
offense of wrong conduct. You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code with a
trainee nun, a novice monk, a novice nun, one who has renounced the training,
or one who has committed the worst kind of offense seated in the gathering. If
you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. You shouldn’t recite the
Monastic Code with one who has been ejected for not recognizing an offense
seated in the gathering. If you do, you should be dealt with according to the
rule. You shouldn’t recite the Monastic Code with one who has been ejected
for not making amends for an offense seated in the gathering or with one who
has been ejected for not giving up a bad view seated in the gathering. If you
do, you should be dealt with according to the rule. You shouldn’t recite the
Monastic Code with a <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍaka</i> seated in the
gathering. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct. You shouldn’t
recite the Monastic Code with a fake monk, with one who has previously left to
join the monastics of another religion, with an animal, with a matricide, with
a patricide, with a murderer of a perfected one, with one who has raped a nun,
with one has caused a schism in the Sangha, with one who has caused the Buddha
to bleed, or with a gynandromorph seated in the gathering. If you do, you
commit an offense of wrong conduct. You shouldn’t do the observance-day
ceremony with a passed-on purity that has expired, except if the gathering is
still seated together. You shouldn’t do the observance-day ceremony on a
non-observance day, except to unify the Sangha.” The third section for
recitation is finished. The second chapter on the observance day is finished.
This is the summary: “Ascetics of other religions, and Bimbisāra, To
assemble, silent; Teaching, seclusion, the Monastic Code, Daily, then once.
Separately, complete assembly, Complete assembly, and Maddakucchi; Monastery
zone, large, with river, One after another, two, and small. Juniors, and just
in Rājagaha, May-stay-apart zone; Should establish the monastery zone first,
Should abolish the monastery zone afterwards. Non-established zones of
inhabited areas, In a river, in the ocean, in a lake; A splash of water, they
made overlap, And just so they enclosed. How many procedures, recitation,
Primitive tribes, and even when there were none; A teaching, Monastic Law,
they made threats, Again Monastic Law, and threatening. Accusing, when
permission is given, Objecting to what is illegitimate; Four or five, and
others state, Also if deliberately, one should make an effort. Included lay
people, without being asked, He did not know at Codanā; A number did not
know, And straightaway, would not go. Which, how many, faraway, And to
announce, he forgot; Dirty, seat, lamp, Regions, another who is learned.
Straightaway, observance day in the rainy season, Purity, and procedure,
relatives; Gagga, four, three, two, one, Offense, shared, he remembered. The
whole Sangha, unsure, They did not know, one who is learned; Greater, equal,
smaller, And none of the gathering has left. Some have left, entire, And they
know, unsure; Anxious thinking, ‘It’s allowable’, Knowing, seeing, and
they hear. With resident, newly arrived, The fourteenth and the fifteenth,
again; The day after, the fifteenth, Characteristics, belonging to a Buddhist
sect, gynandromorph. That has expired, non-observance day Except to unify the
Sangha; These summaries are detailed, Making the topics clear.” In this
chapter there are eighty-six topics. The chapter on the observance day is
finished.
    — PLI-TV-KD2 — Bhikkhu Brahmali (CC0-1.0)