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IX, I, I.
ON EXCLUSION FROM THE PATIMOKKIA. 299
NINTH KHANDHAKA.
ON EXCLUSION FROM THE PATIMOKKHA CEREMONY.
1.
I. Now at that time the Blessed One was staying at Sâvatthi, in the Eastern Årâma, the mansion of the mother of Migâra. And at that time, being Uposatha Day, the Blessed One was seated in the midst of the Bhikkhu-samgha. And the venerable Ânanda, when the night was far spent, when the first watch was passing away, arose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, and stretching out his joined hands towards the Blessed One, said to the Blessed One:
'The night, Lord, is far spent. The first watch is passing away. For a long time has the Bhikkhusamgha been seated here. Let my lord the Blessed One recite to the Bhikkhus the Pâtimokkha.'
When he had thus spoken, the Blessed One remained silent. And a second time, when the second watch was passing away [he made the same request with the same result]. And a third time, when the third watch had begun, and the dawn was breaking1 [he made the same request].
'The assembly, Ânanda, is not pure'.'
1 Nandimukhiya rattiyâ ti arunadhata-kâle pîti-mukhâ viya ratti khâyati ten' âha nandimukhiyâ ti (B.). See also our note on this at Mahâvagga VIII, 13, 1.
That is, there is some one present who is disqualified by some
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