English
where actions according to Dhamma shine forth, actions not according to Dhamma do not shine forth; where actions according to Vinaya shine forth, actions not according to Vinaya do not shine forth. This, monks, is called an equal community. These, monks, are two communities. Of these two communities, monks, this is the foremost: the equal community. 51. Monks, there are two communities. Which two? An unrighteous community and a righteous community. ... These, monks, are two communities. Of these two communities, monks, this is the foremost: the righteous community. 52. Monks, there are two communities. Which two? A community that speaks against Dhamma and a community that speaks according to Dhamma. And what, monks, is a community that speaks against Dhamma? Here, monks, in a community where monks take up a legal case, whether it be according to Dhamma or not according to Dhamma. Having taken up that case, they do not convince each other, nor do they come to an agreement; they do not come to a clear understanding, nor do they come to a settled conclusion. They are strong in not agreeing, strong in not understanding, intending not to relinquish, they speak about that very case with force and clinging, firmly convinced: 'This alone is true, anything else is foolish.' This, monks, is called a community that speaks against Dhamma. And what, monks, is a community that speaks according to Dhamma? Here, monks, in a community where monks take up a legal case, whether it be according to Dhamma or not according to Dhamma. Having taken up that case, they do convince each other, and they do come to an agreement; they do come to a clear understanding, and they do come to a settled conclusion. They are strong in agreeing, strong in understanding, intending to relinquish, they do not speak about that very case with force and clinging. They speak, clinging to their desires, declaring: 'This alone is true, anything else is false.' This, O bhikkhus, is called the assembly that speaks of Dhamma. These, O bhikkhus, are the two assemblies. Of these two assemblies, O bhikkhus, the foremost is the assembly that speaks of Dhamma. The Chapter on Assemblies, the Fifth. Its Summary: The Shallow, the Factions, the Foremost, the Noble, and the Impure, the fifth; And the Smeared with Bait, the Uneven, and by Unrighteousness and Righteousness. The First Fifty is concluded. 2. The Second Fifty