________________
IX, 3, 2. ON EXCLUSION FROM THE PÂTIMOKKHA.
307
do I interdict the Pâtimokkha to the effect that it shall not be recited when he is present. The Pâtimokkha is accordingly interdicted."
1. Now at that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus thinking, ‘No one knows that we are guilty,' listened to the Pâtimokkha. The Thera Bhikkhus, who understood the thoughts of other men, told the Bhikkhus, saying, “Such and such a one, Sirs, and such and such a one, Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus, thinking, “ No one knows that we are guilty," are listening to the Pâtimokkha.'
When the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus heard that, they, thinking 'the good Bhikkhus will (otherwise) first interdict the Pâtimokkha to us,' interdicted the Pâtimokkha to the Bhikkhus who were pure and innocent before (they had time to do so to them), and this without ground and without cause.
Those Bhikkhus who were moderate murmured, &c., . . . . (as usual, down to) told the matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, O Bhikkhus, that the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus have [acted thus]?'
'It is true, Lord !
Then he rebuked them, and when he had delivered a religious discourse, he said: “The Pâtimokkha is not, O Bhikkhus, to be interdicted to pure and innocent Bhikkhus without ground and without cause. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.
2. There is one kind of inhibition of the Pâtimokkha, O Bhikkhus, which is illegal, and one
X 2
Digitized by
Digitized by Google
