1On one occasion the Blessed One was wandering on tour among the Kosalans together with a large Saṅgha of bhikkhus when he reached the Kosalan town of Pankadhā. He then dwelled near Pankadhā.

Now on that occasion the bhikkhu Kassapagotta was resident at Pankadhā. There the Blessed One instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk connected with the training rules. Then, while the Blessed One was instructing … and gladdening the bhikkhus with a talk on the Dhamma connected with the training rules, the bhikkhu Kassapagotta became impatient and bitter, (thinking): "This ascetic is too stringent." [n.531] Adhisallikhatev’āyaṁ samaṇo. Mp is not particularly helpful with adhisallikhati, glossing it ativiya sallikkhitaṁ katvā saṇhaṁ saṇham katheti. DOP has "is overly scrupulous." The expression also occurs in a similar context at MN I 449,12–13.

Then, having dwelled at Pankadhā as long as he wanted, the Blessed One set out on tour toward Rājagaha. Wandering on tour, the Blessed One eventually arrived at Rājagaha. There, at Rājagaha, the Blessed One dwelled on Mount Vulture Peak.

2Then, not long after the Blessed One had left, the bhikkhu Kassapagotta was filled with remorse and regret, (thinking): "It is my misfortune and loss that when the Blessed One was instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk connected with the training rules, I became impatient and bitter, (thinking): ‘This ascetic is too stringent.’ Let me now go to the Blessed One and confess my transgression to him..

Then the bhikkhu Kassapagotta cleaned up his lodging, took his bowl and robe, and set out for Rājagaha. Eventually he arrived at Rājagaha and went to Mount Vulture Peak. He approached the Blessed One, paid homage to him, sat down to one side, and said:

3"Bhante, on one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at the Kosalan town of Pankadhā. There the Blessed One instructed, encouraged, inspired, and gladdened the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk connected with the training rules. While he was instructing … and gladdening them, I became impatient and bitter, thinking: ‘This ascetic is too stringent.’ Then, having dwelled at Pankadhā as long as he wanted, the Blessed One set out on tour for Rājagaha. Not long after he left, I was filled with remorse and regret, thinking: ‘It is my misfortune and loss that when the Blessed One was instructing … and gladdening the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk connected with the training rules, I became impatient and bitter, thinking: "This ascetic is too stringent." Let me now go to the Blessed One and confess my transgression to him.’

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"Bhante, I have committed a transgression in that, when the Blessed One was instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the bhikkhus with a Dhamma talk connected with the training rules, I so foolishly, stupidly, and unskillfully became impatient and bitter, thinking: ‘This ascetic is too stringent.’ Bhante, may the Blessed One accept my transgression seen as a transgression for the sake of future restraint."

4"Surely, Kassapa, you have committed a transgression in that, when I was instructing, encouraging, inspiring, and gladdening the bhikkhus with a talk on the Dhamma connected with the training rules, you so foolishly, stupidly, and unskillfully became impatient and bitter, thinking: ‘This ascetic is too stringent.’ But since you see your transgression as a transgression and make amends for it in accordance with the Dhamma, we accept it. For it is growth in the Noble One's discipline that one sees one's transgression as a transgression, makes amends for it in accordance with the Dhamma, and undertakes future restraint.

5(1) "If, Kassapa, an elder bhikkhu [n.532] The sutta itself does not specify a triad, but I assume it is the distinction between elder, middling, and junior bhikkhus that warrants including this sutta in the Threes. does not desire to train and does not speak praise of undertaking the training; if he does not encourage in the training other bhikkhus who do not desire to train; and if he does not speak genuine, real, and timely praise of those bhikkhus who desire to train, I do not speak praise of such an elder bhikkhu. For what reason? Because other bhikkhus, (hearing): ‘The Teacher speaks praise of him,’ might associate with him, and those who associate with him might follow his example. If they follow his example, this would lead to their harm and suffering for a long time. Therefore I do not speak praise of such an elder bhikkhu.

6(2) "If, Kassapa, a bhikkhu of middle standing … (3) If a junior bhikkhu does not desire to train and does not speak praise of undertaking the training; if he does not encourage in the training other bhikkhus who do not desire to train; and if he does not speak genuine, real, and timely praise of those bhikkhus who desire to train, I do not speak praise of such a junior bhikkhu. For what reason? Because other bhikkhus, (hearing): ‘The Teacher speaks praise of him,’ might associate with him, and those who associate with him might follow his example. If they follow his example, this would lead to their harm and suffering for a long time. Therefore I do not speak praise of such a junior bhikkhu.

7(1) "If, Kassapa, an elder bhikkhu desires to train and speaks praise of undertaking the training; if he encourages in the training other bhikkhus who do not desire to train; and if he speaks genuine, real, and timely praise of those bhikkhus who desire to train, I speak praise of such an elder bhikkhu. For what reason? Because other bhikkhus, (hearing): ‘The Teacher speaks praise of him,’ might associate with him, and those who associate with him might follow his example. If they follow his example, this would lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time. Therefore I speak praise of such an elder bhikkhu.

8(2) "If, Kassapa, a bhikkhu of middle standing … (3) If a junior bhikkhu desires to train and speaks praise of undertaking the training; if he encourages in the training other bhikkhus who do not desire to train; and if he speaks genuine, real, and timely praise of those bhikkhus who desire to train, I speak praise of such a junior bhikkhu. For what reason? Because other bhikkhus, (hearing): ‘The Teacher speaks praise of him,’ might associate with him, and those who associate with him might follow his example. If they follow his example, this would lead to their welfare and happiness for a long time. Therefore I speak praise of such a junior bhikkhu."

1Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā kosalesu cārikaṁ caramāno mahatā bhikkhusaṅghena saddhiṁ yena saṅkavā nāma kosalānaṁ nigamo tadavasari. Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā saṅkavāyaṁ viharati.

Tena kho pana samayena kassapagotto nāma bhikkhu saṅkavāyaṁ āvāsiko hoti. Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandasseti samādapeti samuttejeti sampahaṁseti. Atha kho kassapagottassa bhikkhuno bhagavati sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandassente samādapente samuttejente sampahaṁsente ahudeva akkhanti ahu appaccayo: "adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo"ti.

Atha kho bhagavā saṅkavāyaṁ yathābhirantaṁ viharitvā yena rājagahaṁ tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi. Anupubbena cārikaṁ caramāno yena rājagahaṁ tadavasari. Tatra sudaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati.

2Atha kho kassapagottassa bhikkhuno acirapakkantassa bhagavato ahudeva kukkuccaṁ ahu vippaṭisāro: "Alābhā vata me, na vata me lābhā; dulladdhaṁ vata me, na vata me suladdhaṁ; yassa me bhagavati sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandassente samādapente samuttejente sampahaṁsente ahudeva akkhanti ahu appaccayo: ‘adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo’ti. Yannūnāhaṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyaṁ; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato santike accayaṁ accayato deseyyan"ti.

Atha kho kassapagotto bhikkhu senāsanaṁ saṁsāmetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena rājagahaṁ tena pakkāmi. Anupubbena yena rājagahaṁ yena gijjhakūṭo pabbato yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho kassapagotto bhikkhu bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

3"Ekamidaṁ, bhante, samayaṁ bhagavā saṅkavāyaṁ viharati, saṅkavā nāma kosalānaṁ nigamo. Tatra, bhante, bhagavā sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi. Tassa mayhaṁ bhagavati sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandassente samādapente samuttejente sampahaṁsente ahudeva akkhanti ahu appaccayo: ‘adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo’ti. Atha kho bhagavā saṅkavāyaṁ yathābhirantaṁ viharitvā yena rājagahaṁ tena cārikaṁ pakkāmi. Tassa mayhaṁ, bhante, acirapakkantassa bhagavato ahudeva kukkuccaṁ ahu vippaṭisāro: ‘alābhā vata me, na vata me lābhā; dulladdhaṁ vata me, na vata me suladdhaṁ; yassa me bhagavati sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandassente samādapente samuttejente sampahaṁsente ahudeva akkhanti ahu appaccayo: "adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo"ti. Yannūnāhaṁ yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkameyyaṁ; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavato santike accayaṁ accayato deseyyan’ti.

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Accayo maṁ, bhante, accagamā yathābālaṁ yathāmūḷhaṁ yathāakusalaṁ yassa me bhagavati sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandassente samādapente samuttejente sampahaṁsente ahudeva akkhanti ahu appaccayo: ‘adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo’ti. Tassa me, bhante, bhagavā accayaṁ accayato paṭiggaṇhātu, āyatiṁ saṁvarāyā"ti.

4"Taggha taṁ, kassapa, accayo accagamā yathābālaṁ yathāmūḷhaṁ yathāakusalaṁ, yassa te mayi sikkhāpadapaṭisaṁyuttāya dhammiyā kathāya bhikkhū sandassente samādapente samuttejente sampahaṁsente ahudeva akkhanti ahu appaccayo: ‘adhisallikhatevāyaṁ samaṇo’ti. Yato ca kho tvaṁ, kassapa, accayaṁ accayato disvā yathādhammaṁ paṭikarosi, taṁ te mayaṁ paṭiggaṇhāma. Vuddhihesā, kassapa, ariyassa vinaye yo accayaṁ accayato disvā yathādhammaṁ paṭikaroti, āyatiṁ saṁvaraṁ āpajjati.

5Thero cepi, kassapa, bhikkhu hoti na sikkhākāmo na sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī, ye caññe bhikkhū na sikkhākāmā te ca na sikkhāya samādapeti, ye caññe bhikkhū sikkhākāmā tesañca na vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālena, evarūpassāhaṁ, kassapa, therassa bhikkhuno na vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Satthā hissa vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇatīti aññe naṁ bhikkhū bhajeyyuṁ, ye naṁ bhajeyyuṁ tyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ, yyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ tesaṁ taṁ assa dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāyāti. Tasmāhaṁ, kassapa, evarūpassa therassa bhikkhuno na vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmi.

6Majjhimo cepi, kassapa, bhikkhu hoti … pe … navo cepi, kassapa, bhikkhu hoti na sikkhākāmo na sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī, ye caññe bhikkhū na sikkhākāmā te ca na sikkhāya samādapeti, ye caññe bhikkhū sikkhākāmā tesañca na vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālena, evarūpassāhaṁ, kassapa, navassa bhikkhuno na vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Satthā hissa vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇatīti aññe naṁ bhikkhū bhajeyyuṁ, ye naṁ bhajeyyuṁ tyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ, yyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ tesaṁ taṁ assa dīgharattaṁ ahitāya dukkhāyāti. Tasmāhaṁ, kassapa, evarūpassa navassa bhikkhuno na vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmi.

7Thero cepi, kassapa, bhikkhu hoti sikkhākāmo sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī, ye caññe bhikkhū na sikkhākāmā te ca sikkhāya samādapeti, ye caññe bhikkhū sikkhākāmā tesañca vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālena, evarūpassāhaṁ, kassapa, therassa bhikkhuno vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Satthā hissa vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇatīti aññe naṁ bhikkhū bhajeyyuṁ, ye naṁ bhajeyyuṁ tyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ, yyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ tesaṁ taṁ assa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyāti. Tasmāhaṁ, kassapa, evarūpassa therassa bhikkhuno vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmi.

8Majjhimo cepi, kassapa, bhikkhu hoti sikkhākāmo … pe … navo cepi, kassapa, bhikkhu hoti sikkhākāmo sikkhāsamādānassa vaṇṇavādī, ye caññe bhikkhū na sikkhākāmā te ca sikkhāya samādapeti, ye caññe bhikkhū sikkhākāmā tesañca vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇati bhūtaṁ tacchaṁ kālena, evarūpassāhaṁ, kassapa, navassa bhikkhuno vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmi. Taṁ kissa hetu? Satthā hissa vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇatīti aññe naṁ bhikkhū bhajeyyuṁ, ye naṁ bhajeyyuṁ tyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ, yyāssa diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjeyyuṁ tesaṁ taṁ assa dīgharattaṁ hitāya sukhāyāti. Tasmāhaṁ, kassapa, evarūpassa navassa bhikkhuno vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇāmī"ti.

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Ekādasamaṁ.
Samaṇavaggo catuttho.

9Samaṇo gadrabho khettaṁ,
vajjiputto ca sekkhakaṁ;
Tayo ca sikkhanā vuttā,
dve sikkhā saṅkavāya cāti.