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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, &c. . . . we have been guilty, &c. . . . 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, &c. . . . they are guilty, &c. . . . as well in word as in deed. And it occurs to them, "Whilst we were continuing, &c. . . . we have been guilty, &c. . . . If we now deal, &c. . . . How now shall
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
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
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.'
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.'