Cullavagga, Khandaka 1, Chapter 9

1. Now at that time the venerable Seyyasaka was stupid, and indiscreet, and full of faults, and devoid of merit, and was living in lay society in unlawful association with the world^[1]. So much so that the Bhikkhus were worn out^[2] with placing him on probation^[3], and with throwing him back to the beginning (of his probationary term)^[4], and with subjecting him to the mānatta discipline^[5], and with rehabilitating him^[6]. The moderate Bhikkhus were annoyed, and murmured, and became indignant (saying), 'How can the venerable Seyyasaka be so stupid (&c., as before), that the Bhikkhus are worn out (&c., as before)?'

Then those Bhikkhus told that matter to the Blessed One.

And the Blessed One on that occasion, and in that connection, convened a meeting of the Bhikkhusaṃgha, and asked the Bhikkhus, 'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, as they say, that the venerable Seyyasaka is stupid (&c., as before, down to) with rehabilitating him?'

'It is true, Lord!'

The Blessed Buddha rebuked him (saying), 'This is improper' (&c., as usual, compare I, 2, 3, down to), and addressed the Bhikkhus, and said, 'Let the Saṃgha therefore, O Bhikkhus, carry out the Nissaya-kamma (Act of Subordination) against the venerable Seyyasaka: "Thou must remain under the superintendence of others^[7]."

2. 'Now thus, O Bhikkhus, should it be carried out. In the first place the Bhikkhu Seyyasaka ought to be warned; when he has been warned, he ought to be reminded^[8]; when he has been reminded, he ought to be charged with the offence^[8]; when he has been charged with the offence, some discreet and able Bhikkhu ought to lay the matter before the Saṃgha (saying),

"Let the venerable Saṃgha hear me (&c., as usual; see above, chapters 1. 4. and 8. 2)."'

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

There is no rule in the Pātimokkha in which any of these things are declared to be an offence. The 31st and 85th Pācittiyas only refer to a Bhikkhu's staying an unreasonable time in a public rest-house, and to his frequenting a village beyond the ordinary occasions. Stupidity, and keeping low company, are not mentioned. Why then should Seyyasaka have been placed upon probation? We think the answer will appear from our note I on II, I, X.

[2]:

Pakatā, 'done up,' explained by vāvaṭā. See Oldenberg's quotation from Buddhaghosa at p. 310 of his edition of the text.

[3]:

Compare Mahāvagga I, 38, 1; Mahā-parinibbāna Sutta V, 64, 65; and Cullavagga III, 3. On the distinction between these kinds of probation, see also our note below on II, 1, I.

[4]:

See below, II, 2, I. Compare also Subhūti's explanation in Childers, and the passages quoted in the index to Oldenberg's edition of the text, p. 348, sub voce, especially Cullavagga III, 7.

[5]:

See below, Cullavagga III, 1; III, 4.

[6]:

See below; Cullavagga III, 2; III, 5.

[7]:

These are the distinctive and technical words of the Nissaya-kamma, just as the corresponding clause in chap. 13, § 7 contains the technical words of the Pabbājaniya-kamma.

[8]:

As explained above, chap. 1. 4.