Sacred Texts  Buddhism  Index  Previous  Next 

p. 370

V. THE UKKHEPANIYA-KAMMAS (ACTS OF SUSPENSION)

for not acknowledging, and for not atoning for, an offence 1.

25.

1. Now at that time the Blessed Buddha was dwelling at Kosambî, in the Ghosita Ârâma. And at that time the venerable Khanna 2, when he had committed a fault, was not willing to acknowledge the fault. Those Bhikkhus who were moderate were annoyed, murmured, and became indignant, saying, 'How can the venerable Khanna act so?' And those Bhikkhus told the matter to the Blessed One.

Then the Blessed One on that occasion, and in that connection, after he had convened a meeting of the Bhikkhu-samgha, asked the Bhikkhus:

'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, as they say, that Khanna

p. 371

when he has committed a fault, is not willing to acknowledge the fault?'

'It is true, Lord!'

The Blessed Buddha rebuked him, saying, 'How, O Bhikkhus, can that foolish one act so? This will not conduce either to the conversion of the unconverted, or to the increase of the converted; but rather to those who have not been converted being not converted, and to the turning back of those who have been converted.'

And when the Blessed One had so rebuked him, and had delivered a religious discourse, he addressed the Bhikkhus and said: 'Let therefore the Samgha, O Bhikkhus, carry out against Khanna the Bhikkhu the âpattiyâ adassane Ukkhepaniya-kamma (the Act of Suspension which follows on not acknowledging a fault) to the intent that he shall not eat or dwell together with the Samgha 1.

'Now thus, O Bhikkhus, should it be carried out.' [Here follow the formal words of' the Kammavâkâ as in chapter 1, 4, with the necessary alterations owing to the difference of the fault and of the K am ma following on it. And at the end of the Kammavâkâ (after the words 'Thus I understand') the following sentence is added.]

'And send a proclamation, O Bhikkhus, from residence to residence 2; saying, "Khanna the Bhikkhu has been subjected by the Samgha to the Ukkhepaniya-kamma for not acknowledging a fault."'


Footnotes

370:1 There is no mention in the Pâtimokkha of any such proceeding. At the close of each of the four Pâtidesaniya Rules there is a form of confession to be observed. It would seem from the following chapters, which are nowhere expressly confined to these four cases, that a similar confession was expected after the commission of an offence against any of the Pâtimokkha Rules. In the closing words of the Samghâdisesa Rules, an older proceeding is mentioned, under which an offending Bhikkhu who has not confessed any breach of either of those thirteen Rules is to remain on probation for as many days he has allowed to go by without confessing,

370:2 On Khanna's character, see also below, IV, 14, I, XI, I, 12-14, and Mahâ-parinibbâna Sutta VI, 4.

371:1 Compare Mahâvagga I, 79 generally, and § 2 of that chapter on the last clause (asambhogam samghena).

371:2 On this phrase the Samanta Pâsâdikâ says, Âvâsa-paramparañ ka bhikkhave samsathâ ti sabbâvâsesu âroketha.


Next: Chapter 26