English
for Channa the bhikkhu, for not renouncing the offense, the revocation of the act of suspension, let him be silent; if it is not agreeable to anyone, let him speak. The Sangha has revoked for Channa the bhikkhu, for not renouncing the offense, the act of suspension. It is agreeable to the Sangha, therefore it is silent, thus I hold this. The act of suspension for not renouncing an offense, the sixth, is concluded. 7. The act of suspension for not renouncing a wicked view. At that time, the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Savatthi, in Jeta's Grove, Anathapindika's monastery. Now at that time, a certain bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, had conceived such a wicked view: "I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things called 'obstacles' by the Blessed One are not truly obstacles when practiced." Many bhikkhus heard that a certain bhikkhu named Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, had conceived such a wicked view: "I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things called 'obstacles' by the Blessed One, when practiced..." are not an obstacle.” Then those monks approached the monk Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer. Having approached, they said to the monk Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer: “Is it true, friend Ariṭṭha, that such a wicked view has arisen in you: ‘I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstacles, when indulged in, are not an obstacle’?” “Indeed, friends, I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstacles, when indulged in, are not an obstacle.” “Do not say that, friend Ariṭṭha. Do not misrepresent the Blessed One. It is not good to misrepresent the Blessed One. The Blessed One would not speak thus. In many ways, friend Ariṭṭha, the Blessed One has declared things that are obstacles to be obstacles. And indulging in them is indeed an obstacle. Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are of little satisfaction, full of suffering, full of despair, with more danger in them. Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a skeleton, full of suffering, full of despair, with more danger in them. Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a piece of meat… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a torch of grass… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a pit of glowing coals… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a dream… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like borrowed goods… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like fruit on a tree… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a sword and a block… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a stake and a spear… Sensual pleasures, the Blessed One has declared, are like a snake’s head, full of suffering, full of despair, with more danger in them.” Even when spoken to thus by those monks, the monk Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer, persisted in that wicked view, clinging to it firmly, and declared: “Indeed, friends, I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstacles, when indulged in, are not an obstacle.” Thus. And when those bhikkhus could not dissuade the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer, from that evil view, then those bhikkhus approached the Blessed One. Having approached, they reported this matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, on account of this cause, on account of this matter, convened the assembly of bhikkhus and questioned the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer: "Is it true, Ariṭṭha, that such an evil view has arisen in you: 'I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructive are not capable of obstruction when indulged in'?" "Indeed, venerable sir, I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things declared by the Blessed One to be obstructive are not capable of obstruction when indulged in." "From whom, pray, you foolish man, do you understand the Dhamma taught by me in this way? Have I not, you foolish man, in many ways, declared obstructive things to be obstructive? And they are capable of obstruction when indulged in. Sense pleasures have been declared by me to be of little satisfaction, full of suffering, full of vexation, with more peril therein. Sense pleasures have been me likened to a skeleton, full of suffering, full of vexation, with more peril therein. Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to a piece of flesh... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to a torch of grass... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to a pit of glowing coals... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to a dream... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to borrowed goods... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to fruits on a tree... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to a slaughterhouse knife... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to a stake of execution... Sense pleasures have been declared by me likened to a snake's head, full of suffering, full of vexation, with more peril therein. And yet, you foolish man, by your own wrongly grasped [wrongly grasped view] you both slander us, and harm yourself, and produce much demerit. That, you foolish man, will be for your harm and suffering for a long time. This, you foolish man, is not for the confidence of those without confidence..." ...having rebuked... ...having given a Dhamma talk, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, O bhikkhus, let the Sangha perform the act of suspension for the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, for not giving up his evil view – no communion with the Sangha." "And thus, O bhikkhus, it should be done: First, the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha should be charged. Having charged him, he should be reminded. Having reminded him, an offense should be imputed to him. Having imputed an offense to him, the Sangha should be informed by a competent and able bhikkhu –" 66. "May the Sangha, venerable sirs, hear me. For the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, such an evil view has arisen: 'I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things called "impediments" by the Blessed One are not truly impediments when indulged in.' He does not give up that view. If it is appropriate for the Sangha, let the Sangha perform the act of suspension for the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, for not giving up his evil view – no communion with the Sangha. This is the motion." "May the Sangha, venerable sirs, hear me. For the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, such an evil view has arisen: 'I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those things called "impediments" by the Blessed One are not truly impediments when indulged in.' He does not give up that view. The Sangha performs the act of suspension for the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, for not giving up his evil view – no communion with the Sangha. If it is agreeable to any venerable one that the act of suspension be performed for the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, for not giving up his evil view – no communion with the Sangha, let him remain silent; if it is not agreeable, let him speak." "A second time I state this matter... A third time I state this matter – May the Sangha, venerable sirs, hear me. For the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-killer, such an evil view has arisen..." — I understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One in such a way that those obstructive things declared by the Blessed One are not capable of obstruction for one who indulges in them. He does not give up that view. The Sangha performs an act of suspension against the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer, for not giving up his evil view—non-communion with the Sangha. If it pleases the venerable ones to perform an act of suspension against the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer, for not giving up his evil view—non-communion with the Sangha—let him be silent; if it does not please him, let him speak. “The Sangha has performed an act of suspension against the bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer, for not giving up his evil view—non-communion with the Sangha. It pleases the Sangha, therefore it is silent; thus do I hold it. “And, bhikkhus, inform successive residences: ‘The bhikkhu Ariṭṭha, formerly a vulture-trainer, has been subjected to an act of suspension by the Sangha for not giving up his evil view—non-communion with the Sangha.’” Twelve Cases of Unlawful Acts 67. “Bhikkhus, an act of suspension for not giving up an evil view, endowed with three factors, is an unlawful act, an unvinaya act, and poorly settled. It is done without presence, it is done without questioning, it is done without admission—with these three factors, bhikkhus, an act of suspension for not giving up an evil view is an unlawful act, an unvinaya act, and poorly settled. “Bhikkhus, an act of suspension for not giving up an evil view, endowed with other three factors, is an unlawful act, an unvinaya act, and poorly settled. It is done for no offense, it is done for an offense not leading to confession, it is done for a confessed offense… (and so on)… it is done without admonishing, it is done without reminding, it is done without charging with an offense. It is done… without presence. It is done unlawfully. It is done by a faction. … It is done without questioning. It is done unlawfully. It is done by a faction. … It is done without admission. It is done unlawfully. It is done by a faction. … It is done for a non-offence. It is done unlawfully. It is done by a faction. …