Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga

by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 137,074 words

The Cullavagga (part of the Vinaya collection) includes accounts of the First and Second Buddhist Councils as well as the establishment of the community of Buddhist nuns. The Cullavagga also elaborates on the etiquette and duties of Bhikkhus....

1. Now at that time the Bhikkhu Uvāḷa[1], being examined in the midst of the Saṃgha with an offence, when he had denied then confessed it, when he had confessed it then denied it, made counter-charges[2], and spoke lies which he knew to be such[3].

Those Bhikkhus who were moderate were annoyed, murmured, and became indignant, saying, 'How can the Bhikkhu Uvāḷa do so?' And they told the matter to the Blessed One.

'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, as they say that the Bhikkhu [&c., as before].'

'It is true, Lord.'

Then he rebuked him, and when he had delivered a religious discourse he addressed the Bhikkhus, and said:

'Then, O Bhikkhus, let the Saṃgha carry out the Tassa-pāpiyyasikā-kamma (the Proceeding in the case of the obstinately wrong)[4].'

2. 'And thus, O Bhikkhus, is it to be carried out. In the first place the Bhikkhu Uvāḷa must have been warned; when he had been warned, he must have been called upon to remember (whether he has, or has not, consciously committed the offence); when he had been called upon to remember, he must have been caused (by being put on his trial with respect to the offence) to bring upon himself a new offence (namely, of obstinacy or prevarication); when he has brought upon himself this new offence, some discreet and able Bhikkhu ought to lay the matter before the Saṃgha, saying,

'"Let the venerable Saṃgha hear the. This Bhikkhu Uvāḷa, being examined in the midst of the Saṃgha with an offence, when he has denied it then confesses it, when he has confessed it then denies it, makes counter-charges, and speaks lies which he knows to be such. If the time seems meet to the Saṃgha, let the Saṃgha carry out the Tassapāpiyyasikā-kamma against the Bhikkhu Uvāḷa.

'"This is the motion.

'"Let the venerable Saṃgha hear me. This Bhikkhu Uvāḷa (&c., as before). The Saṃgha carries out the Tassa-pāpiyyasikā-kamma against Uvāḷa the Bhikkhu. Whosoever of the venerable ones approves of the Tassa-pāpiyyasikā-kamma being carried out against Uvāḷa the Bhikkhu, let him keep silence. Whosoever approves not thereof, let him speak.

'"A second time I say the same thing. This Bhikkhu Uvāḷa (&c., as before, down to) let him speak. A third time I say the same thing (&c., as before, down to) let him speak.

'"The Tassa-pāpiyyasikā-kamma has been carried out by the . Saṃgha against Uvāḷa the Bhikkhu. Therefore is it silent. Thus do I understand[5]."'

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

In the Burmese MSS. the name of this monk is written Upavāla.

[2]:

Aññena aññaṃ paṭicarati. We follow Wijesiṃha Mudaliyar's interpretation of this phrase as given by Childers (s.v. tassapāpiyyasikā).

[3]:

Chapter 14, section 29 below, is in fact an elaboration of this paragraph, giving instances of the kind of prevarication here intended to be referred to.

[4]:

The exact meaning of the phrase is somewhat doubtful, owing to the ambiguity of the tassa. It should probably be analysed 'the proceeding against one who is more sinful (pāpiyo) than that (tassa);' that is, who adds sin to sin. Childers gives a long note on the Proceeding drawn by Wijesiṃha Mudaliyar from this chapter, but does not analyse the word.

[5]:

This Kammavācā is precisely the same as is laid down in Cullavagga I, 1, 4, &c. in the case of all the other penal Kammas.

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: