1. Now at that time, while the Bhikkhus were continuing in quarrels, strifes,
and disputes, they had been guilty of many things unworthy of a Samana, as well
in word as in deed, and it occurred to the Bhikkhus, 'Whilst we were continuing,
etc. . . . we have been guilty, etc. . . . as well in word as in deed. If we now
deal one with another for those offences, it may happen that that proceeding may
result in harshness, in ill-feeling, in divisions. How now should we manage?'
And they told the matter to the Blessed One.
In case, O Bhikkhus, whilst the Bhikkhus are continuing, etc. . . . they are
guilty, etc. . . . as well in word as in deed. And it occurs to them, "Whilst we
were continuing, etc. . . . we have been guilty, etc. . . . If we now deal, etc. .
. . How now shall
p. 32
we manage?" I enjoin upon you, O Bhikkhus, to settle a matter of this kind by
Tinavatthâraka (the Covering over as with grass) 1.
2. 'And thus, O Bhikkhus, is it to be settled. All are to meet together in one
spot. When they have met together some able and discreet Bhikkhu is to bring the
matter before the Samgha, saying,
'"Let the venerable Samgha hear me. While we were continuing, &c. . . . we have
been guilty, &c. . . . as well in word as in deed. And it occurred to us (&c.,
down to) If we now deal one with another, &c. . . . it may result in harshness,
in ill-feeling, in divisions. If the time seems meet to the Samgha; let the
Samgha settle this matter by the Covering over as with grass--except only as
regards serious offences 2, and as regards those things in which the laity have
been concerned."
'Then some discreet and able Bhikkhu among those Bhikkhus who belong to the one
party is to bring the matter before his own party, saying,
'"May the venerable ones hear me. While we were continuing, &c. . . . we have
been guilty, &c. . . . as well in word as in deed. And it occurred to us, &c. .
. . (down to) in divisions. If the time seems meet to you, venerable Sirs, I
would confess in the midst of the Samgha, both on your behalf, venerable Sirs,
and on my own behalf, both such offence as is yours, venerable Sirs, and such
offence
p. 33
as is mine own, to the end that it may be covered over as with grass, except
only as regards serious offences, and as regards those things in which the laity
have been concerned."
'And some discreet and able Bhikkhu among the Bhikkhus belonging to the other
party is to bring the matter before his own party, saying, "May the venerable
ones hear me [&c., as before in the last paragraph, down to the end]."
Then the discreet and able Bhikkhu among the Bhikkhus belonging to the one party
is to bring the matter before the Samgha, saying, "May the venerable Samgha hear
me. While we (&c., as before, down to) in divisions. If the time seems meet to
the Samgha, I would confess 1 in the midst of the Samgha, both on behalf of
these venerable ones and on my own behalf, both such offence as is theirs and
such offence as is mine own, to the end that it may be covered over as with
grass, except only as regards serious offences, and as regards those things in
which the laity have been concerned. This is the motion Patti). May the
venerable Samgha hear me. While we (&c., as before, down to) in divisions. I
confess (&c., as before, down to) in which the laity have been concerned.
Whosoever of the venerable ones approves of the confession of these our
offences, to the end that they may so be covered over as with grass, except as
before mentioned, let him keep silence. Whosoever approves not thereof, let him
speak. These our offences are confessed in the midst of the Samgha, to the end
that they may be covered over as with grass, except
p. 34
as before mentioned. The Samgha approves thereof. Therefore is it silent. Thus
do I understand."
'And the discreet and able Bhikkhu among the Bhikkhus belonging to the other
party is to bring the matter before the Samgha, saying, "Let the venerable
Samgha hear me (&c., as before in the last paragraph, down to the end)."
'Then thus, O Bhikkhus, those Bhikkhus are absolved of those offences, except as
regards serious offences, and as regards those things in which the laity have
been concerned, and except also as regards those who express their disapproval
of the proceedings, or who are not present at them 1.'
Footnotes
31:1 The whole of this chapter recurs below, IV, 14, 33.
32:1 Buddhaghosa's commentary on this expression will be found in the notes to
H.O.'s edition of the text, pp. 313, 314.
32:2 Buddhaghosa (H.O. loc. cit.) explains this as meaning either Pârâgika or
Samghâdisesa offences. So also he explains Dutthullâ âpatti at Mahâvagga X, 5,
4.
33:1 Deseyyam. Compare IV, 14, 33, at the end.
34:1 On these phrases Buddhaghosa has the following note Ditthâvikamman ti ye
pana na me tam khamatî ti aññamaññâ ditthâvikammam karonti tehi vâ saddhim
âpattim âpaggitvâ pi, tattha anâgatâ âgantvâ vâ khandam datvâ parivenâdisu
nisinnâ, te âpattîhi na vutthahanti. This is more an exegesis on the rule than
an explanation of the words Ditthâvikammam thapetvâ, the exact meaning of which
remains doubtful. The literal rendering would be 'except as regards the
manifestation of opinion.'
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