English
convened the Sangha of bhikkhus and questioned the Venerable Dabba the Mallaputta: “Do you recall, Dabba, having done such a thing as this bhikkhunī says?” “As the Blessed One knows me, venerable sir.” A second time the Blessed One said to the Venerable Dabba the Mallaputta: “Do you recall, Dabba, having done such a thing as this bhikkhunī says?” “As the Blessed One knows me, venerable sir.” A third time the Blessed One said to the Venerable Dabba the Mallaputta: “Do you recall, Dabba, having done such a thing as this bhikkhunī says?” “As the Blessed One knows me, venerable sir.” “Indeed, Dabba, Dabbas do not evade in this way. If it was done by you, say it was done. If it was not done, say it was not done.” “From the time I was born, venerable sir, I do not recall having indulged in sexual intercourse even in a dream, much less while awake.” Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Well then, bhik- monks, expel the nun Mettiyā. And question these monks.” Having said this, the Fortunate One rose from his seat and entered the monastery. Then those monks expelled the nun Mettiyā. Then the Mettiyabhūmajakā monks said to those monks: “Friends, do not expel the nun Mettiyā, she has done nothing wrong; she was incited by us, who were angry, displeased, and intent on causing her to fall.” “But friends, did you slander the venerable Dabba Mallaputta with a baseless charge of moral misconduct?” “Yes, friends.” Those monks who were of few wishes… they complained, grumbled, criticized: “How can the Mettiyabhūmajakā monks slander the venerable Dabba Mallaputta with a baseless charge of moral misconduct?” Then those monks reported this matter to the Fortunate One… “Is it true, monks, that the Mettiyabhūmajakā monks slander Dabba Mallaputta with a baseless charge of moral misconduct?” “It is true, Fortunate One.” …having rebuked them… …having given a Dhamma talk, he addressed the monks: “Therefore, monks, the Sangha should impose the discipline of remembrance on Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained the fullness of mindfulness. And thus, monks, it should be imposed: “Monks, Dabba Mallaputta should approach the Sangha, arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, bow to the feet of the elder monks, squat down, raise his joined hands, and say this: ‘These Mettiyabhūmajakā monks, Venerable Sirs, slander me with a baseless charge of moral misconduct. I, Venerable Sirs, having attained the fullness of mindfulness, ask the Sangha for the discipline of remembrance.’ A second time he should be asked. A third time he should be asked: ‘These Mettiyabhūmajakā monks, Venerable Sirs, slander me with a baseless charge of moral misconduct. I, Venerable Sirs, having attained the fullness of mindfulness, a third time, Venerable Sirs, ask the Sangha for the discipline of remembrance.’ A competent monk should…” By the third declaration the Sangha should be informed – 194. Let the Sangha hear me, venerable sirs. These Mettiyabhūmajaka bhikkhus harass the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta with a groundless charge of moral transgression. The venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, having attained fullness of mindfulness, requests the Sangha for a mindfulness discipline. If it is opportune for the Sangha, the Sangha should grant the mindfulness discipline to the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness. This is the motion. “Let the Sangha hear me, venerable sirs. These Mettiyabhūmajaka bhikkhus harass the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta with a groundless charge of moral transgression. The venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, having attained fullness of mindfulness, requests the Sangha for a mindfulness discipline. The Sangha grants the mindfulness discipline to the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness. To that venerable one who approves of the granting of the mindfulness discipline to the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness, let him be silent; to that one who does not approve, let him speak. “A second time I speak on this matter... ...a third time I speak on this matter – Let the Sangha hear me, venerable sirs. These Mettiyabhūmajaka bhikkhus harass the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta with a groundless charge of moral transgression. The venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, having attained fullness of mindfulness, requests the Sangha for a mindfulness discipline. The Sangha grants the mindfulness discipline to the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness. To that venerable one who approves of the granting of the mindfulness discipline to the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness, let him be silent; to that one who does not approve, let him speak. “The mindfulness discipline has been granted by the Sangha to the venerable Dabba the Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness. The Sangha approves, therefore it is silent, thus I hold this.” 195. “These five, bhikkhus, are the righteous grants of mindfulness discipline. A bhikkhu is pure, without offense, and they accuse him, and he requests (it), to him the Sangha grants the mindfulness discipline righteously and harmoniously – These, bhikkhus, are the five righteous (conditions for) mindfulness grants of Vinaya." 3. The Declaration of Sanity 196. Now at that time the bhikkhu Gagga was insane, with his mind deranged. By that insane, deranged-minded one, much un-monk-like conduct had been practiced and spoken. The bhikkhus accused the bhikkhu Gagga of an offense for the conduct practiced by the insane, deranged-minded one, saying: "Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?" He said thus: "Indeed, friends, I was insane, with my mind deranged. By me, insane, with my mind deranged, much un-monk-like conduct was practiced and spoken. I do not remember that. This was done by me in delusion." Even when he was speaking thus, they continued to accuse him, saying: "Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?" Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes... they complained, grumbled, and criticized, saying: "How can bhikkhus accuse the bhikkhu Gagga of an offense for the conduct practiced by the insane, deranged-minded one, saying: 'Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?' He said thus: 'Indeed, friends, I was insane, with my mind deranged. By me, insane, with my mind deranged, much un-monk-like conduct was practiced and spoken. I do not remember that. This was done by me in delusion.' Even when he was speaking thus, they continued to accuse him, saying: "Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One... "...Is it true, bhikkhus... Yes, Blessed One..." ...having rebuked... ...having given a Dhamma talk, he addressed the bhikkhus: "In that case, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha should grant the Declaration of Sanity to the bhikkhu Gagga, who is not deluded. And thus, bhikkhus, it should be granted: "Bhikkhus, by the bhikkhu Gagga, having approached the Saṅgha, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, having bowed at the feet of the elder bhikkhus, having squatted on his heels, having raised his hands in añjali, he should be addressed thus:" – ‘I, venerable sir, was mad, my mind deranged. By that madness, my mind derangement, much unmonkly conduct was committed, spoken, and done. The monks accuse me of an offense, due to that unmonkly conduct committed by me, being mad, my mind deranged – ‘Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?’ And I say thus – ‘Indeed, friends, I was mad, my mind deranged. By that madness, my mind derangement, much unmonkly conduct was committed, spoken, and done. I do not remember that. It was done by me in delusion.’ Even when I speak thus, they still accuse me – ‘Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?’ Therefore, venerable sir, being undeluded, I request the Sangha for the undeluded discipline.’ A second time he should be requested. A third time he should be requested – ‘I, venerable sir, was mad, my mind deranged. By that madness, my mind derangement, much unmonkly conduct was committed, spoken, and done. The monks accuse me of an offense, due to that unmonkly conduct committed by me, being mad, my mind deranged – ‘Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?’ And I say thus – ‘Indeed, friends, I was mad, my mind deranged. By that madness, my mind derangement, much unmonkly conduct was committed, spoken, and done. I do not remember that; it was done by me in delusion.’ Even when I speak thus, they still accuse me – ‘Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?’ Therefore, being undeluded, venerable sir, a third time, venerable sir, I request the Sangha for the undeluded discipline.’ By a competent monk, a capable one, the Sangha should be informed – 197. ‘‘May the Sangha, venerable sirs, listen to me. This monk Gagga was mad, his mind deranged. By that madness, his mind derangement, much unmonkly conduct was committed, spoken, and done. The monks accuse the monk Gagga, due to that unmonkly conduct committed by him, being mad, his mind deranged... with this offense they charge him – ‘Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?’ He says thus – ‘Indeed, friends, I was insane, my mind deranged. By me, insane, with mind deranged, much unmonkly conduct was done, much spoken. I do not remember that; it was done by me in delusion.’ Even when he is spoken to thus, they still charge him – ‘Does the venerable one remember having committed such an offense?’ He, not deluded, requests a declaration of innocence from the Saṅgha. If it is suitable for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should grant a declaration of innocence to the monk Gagga, who is not deluded. This is the motion. ‘‘May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. This monk Gagga was insane, his mind deranged.