Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī in the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood. At that time a number of monks who were friends had entered the rains residence on the banks of the river Vaggumudā. Just then Vajjī was short of food and afflicted with hunger, with crops blighted and turned to straw, and it was not easy to get by on almsfood.

The monks considered the difficult circumstances, and they thought, “How can we remain united and in harmony, have a comfortable rains, and get almsfood without problems?”

Some said, “We could work for the lay people, and they’ll give something in return. In this way we’ll be united and in harmony, and we’ll spend the rains in comfort and have no problems getting almsfood.”

Some said, “There’s no need to work for the lay people. Let’s instead take messages for them, and they’ll give something in return. In this way we’ll be united and in harmony, and we’ll spend the rains in comfort and have no problems getting almsfood.”

Some said, “There’s no need to work for the lay people, nor to take messages for them. Let’s instead praise one another’s superhuman qualities to the lay people: ‘Such a monk has the first absorption, such a monk the second absorption, such a monk the third, such a monk the fourth; such a monk is a stream-enterer, such a monk a once-returner, such a non-returner, such a perfected one; such a monk has the three true insights, and such the six direct knowledges.’ Then they’ll give to us. In this way we’ll be united and in harmony, and we’ll spend the rains in comfort and have no problems getting almsfood. Indeed, this is the better way, that we praise one another’s superhuman qualities to the lay people.”

Then those monks praised one another’s superhuman qualities to the lay people: “Such a monk has the first absorption … such a monk has the six direct knowledges.” And those people thought, “We’re fortunate that such monks have come to us for the rains residence. Such monks as these, who are virtuous and of good character, have never before entered the rains residence with us.” And they gave such food and drink to those monks that they did not even eat and drink themselves, or give to their parents, to their wives and children, to their slaves, servants, and workers, to their friends and companions, or to their relatives. In this way those monks were handsome, with rounded features, bright faces, and clear skin.

Now it was the custom for monks who had finished keeping the rains residence to go to see the Master. So when the rainy-season residence was completed and the three months had elapsed, those monks put their dwellings in order, took their bowls and robes, and departed for Vesālī. When they eventually arrived at Vesālī, they went to the hall with the peaked roof in the Great Wood. There they approached the Master, bowed down to him, and sat down to one side.

At that time the monks who had completed the rainy-season residence in that region were thin, haggard, and pale, their veins protruding all over their limbs. But the monks from the banks of the Vaggumudā were handsome, with rounded features, bright faces, and clear skin. It is the custom for Buddhas to greet newly arrived monks, and so the Master said to them, “I hope you’re keeping well, monks, I hope you’re comfortable; I hope you spent the rains at ease, in concord and harmony, without dispute, and that you had no trouble getting almsfood?”

“We’re keeping well, Master, we’re comfortable; we spent the rains at ease, in concord and harmony, without dispute, and we had no trouble getting almsfood.” Buddhas sometimes ask knowing, and knowing sometimes do not ask; they ask knowing the right time to ask, and they ask knowing the right time not to ask. Buddhas ask when it is beneficial, not when it is unbeneficial; in regard to what is unbeneficial, the Buddhas have destroyed the bridge. Buddhas question the monks for two reasons: to give a teaching or to lay down a training rule.

And the Master said to those monks, “In what way, monks, did you spend the rains at ease, without having any trouble getting almsfood?”

Then those monks told the Master.

“But had you really achieved those superhuman qualities?”

“No, Master.”

The Buddha rebuked them, “It’s unsuitable, foolish men, it’s not proper, it’s not fitting for an ascetic, it’s not allowable, it’s not to be done. How can you for the sake of your stomachs praise one another’s superhuman qualities to lay people? It would be better for your bellies to be cut open with a sharp butcher’s knife than for you to praise one another’s superhuman qualities to lay people. Why is that? Because for that reason you might die or experience death-like suffering, but you wouldn’t because of that be reborn in a bad destination. But for this reason you might. This will not give rise to confidence in those without it …” … After criticizing them and giving a teaching, he addressed the monks:

“Monks, there are these five great gangsters to be found in the world. What five? A great gangster thinks like this: ‘Oh when will I, with a following of a hundred or a thousand men, wander among villages, towns, and royal capitals, killing and making others kill, destroying and making others destroy, tormenting and making others torment?’ Then after some time, he does just that. Just so, monks, a bad monk thinks like this: ‘Oh when will I, with a following of a hundred or a thousand people, go wandering among villages, towns, and royal capitals; be honored, respected, and revered by both lay people and those gone forth; and obtain robe-cloth, almsfood, dwellings, and medicines?’ Then after some time, he does just that. This is the first great gangster to be found in the world.

Again, a bad monk learns the Teaching and training proclaimed by the Buddha and takes it as his own. This is the second great gangster to be found in the world.

Again, a bad monk groundlessly accuses someone who lives the spiritual life in purity of not abstaining from sexuality. This is the third great gangster to be found in the world.

Again, a bad monk takes valuable goods and equipment belonging to the Order— I have rendered muñja-reed and pabbaja-reed with the single word “reed.” I am not aware that these two types of reed can be distinguished in English. a monastery, the land of a monastery, a dwelling, the land of a dwelling, a bed, a bench, a cushion, a pillow, a metal vessel, a metal jar, a metal pot, a metal receptacle, an adz, a hatchet, an ax, a spade, a chisel, a creeper, bamboo, reed, grass, clay, wooden articles, earthenware articles— and uses them to win over and create a following among lay people. This is the fourth great gangster to be found in the world.

But in this world with its gods, its lords of death, and its supreme beings, in this population with its ascetics and brahmins, its gods and humans, this is the greatest gangster: he who untruthfully and groundlessly boasts about a superhuman quality. Why is that? Monks, you’ve eaten the country’s almsfood by theft.”

Whoever should declare himself
to be other than he truly is,
Has eaten this by theft,
like a cheater who has deceived.

Many ocher-necks of bad qualities,
uncontrolled and wicked—
By their wicked deeds,
they are reborn in hell.

It is better to eat an iron ball,
heated, like a burning flame,
Than for the immoral and uncontrolled
to eat the country’s alms.

After criticizing the monks from the banks of the Vaggumudā in various ways for being difficult to maintain, difficult to support … “… And, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk falsely claims for himself a superhuman quality, knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, saying, “This I know, this I see,” but after some time—whether questioned or not, but having committed the offense and desiring purification—should say: “Not knowing I said that I know, not seeing that I see; what I said was empty and false,” he too is expelled and excluded from the community.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second sub-story

At one time a number of monks, thinking they had seen what they had not, attained what they had not, achieved what they had not, realized what they had not, declared final knowledge because of overestimation. After some time, their minds inclined to sensual desire, ill-will, and confusion. They became remorseful, thinking, “The Master has laid down a training rule; yet we declared final knowledge because of overestimation. Could it be that we’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?” They told Venerable Ānanda, who told the Master. He said, “Ānanda, these monks declared final knowledge because of overestimation, thinking they had seen what they had not, attained what they had not, achieved what they had not, realized what they had not, but this is negligible.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Final ruling

‘If a monk falsely claims for himself a superhuman quality, knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones, saying, “This I know, this I see,” but after some time—whether he is questioned or not, but having committed the offense and desiring purification—should say: “Not knowing I said that I know, not seeing that I see; what I said was empty and false,” unless it is due to overestimation, he too is expelled and excluded from the community.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a complete Order through a procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is unchallengeable and fit to stand— this sort of monk is meant in this case.

Falsely: although a certain wholesome quality is non-existent in himself, not real, not to be found, and he does not see it or know it, he says, “I have this wholesome quality.”

A superhuman quality: absorption, release, stillness, attainment, knowledge and vision, development of the path, realization of the fruits, abandoning the defilements, a mind without hindrances, delighting in empty dwellings.

For himself: either he presents those good qualities as in himself, or he presents himself as among those good qualities.

Knowledge: the three true insights. Vision: knowledge and vision are equivalent.

Claims: announces to a woman or a man, to a lay person or one gone forth.

This I know, this I see: “I know these qualities/ I see these qualities/these qualities are found in me and I conform to them.”

After some time: the moment, the second, the instant after he has made the claim.

He is questioned: he is questioned in regard to what he has admitted: “What did you attain? How did you attain it? When did you attain it? Where did you attain it? Which defilements did you abandon? Which qualities did you gain?”

Not: he is not spoken to by anyone.

Having committed the offense: having bad desires, overcome by desire, claiming a non-existent, unreal superhuman quality, he has committed an offense entailing expulsion.

Desiring purification: he desires to be a lay person, a lay follower, a monastery attendant, or a novice monk.

Not knowing I said that I know, not seeing that I see: “I don’t know these qualities/ I don’t see these qualities/ these qualities aren’t found in me and I don’t conform to them.”

What I said was empty and false: what I said was empty; what I said was false; what I said was unreal; I said it without knowing.

Unless it is due to overestimation: except if it is overestimation.

He too: this is said with reference to the preceding offenses entailing expulsion.

Is expelled: just as a palm tree with its crown cut off is incapable of further growth, so too a monk with bad desires, overcome by desire, who has claimed a non-existent, unreal superhuman quality, is not an ascetic, not a son of the Sakyan— therefore it is said, “he is expelled.”

Excluded from the community: Community: common procedures, the same recital, the same training— this is called “community.” He does not take part in this— therefore it is called “excluded from the community.”

Permutations

Summary

A superhuman quality: absorption, release, stillness, attainment, knowledge and vision, development of the path, realization of the fruits, abandoning the defilements, a mind without hindrances, delighting in empty dwellings.

Definitions

Absorption: the first absorption, the second absorption, the third absorption, the fourth absorption.

Release: emptiness release, signless release, desireless release.

Stillness: emptiness stillness, signless stillness, desireless stillness.

Attainment: emptiness attainment, signless attainment, desireless attainment.

Knowledge and vision: the three true insights.

Development of the path: the four applications of mindfulness, the four right efforts, the four bases of supernormal power, the five spiritual faculties, the five spiritual powers, the seven factors of awakening, the noble eightfold path.

Realization of the fruits: realization of the fruit of stream-entry, realization of the fruit of once-returning, realization of the fruit of non-returning, realization of perfection.

Abandoning the defilements: the abandoning of sensual desire, the abandoning of ill-will, the abandoning of confusion.

A mind without hindrances: a mind without sensual desire, a mind without ill-will, a mind without confusion.

Delighting in empty dwellings: because of the first absorption, there is delight in empty dwellings; because of the second absorption, there is delight in empty dwellings; because of the third absorption, there is delight in empty dwellings; because of the fourth absorption, there is delight in empty dwellings.

Exposition

First absorption

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when four conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; “Of what is true” is not in the Pali, but has been added for clarity.he misrepresents his view of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when five conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when six conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’m attaining the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’m attaining the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when four conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’m attaining the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when five conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’m attaining the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when six conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’m attaining the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when four conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when five conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when six conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve attained the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I obtain the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I obtain the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when four conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I obtain the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when five conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I obtain the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when six conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I obtain the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I master the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I master the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when four conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I master the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when five conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I master the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when six conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I master the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve realized the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve realized the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when four conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve realized the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when five conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve realized the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when six conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve realized the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

Other individual attainments

As the first absorption has been expanded in detail, so all should be expanded:

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the second absorption … I attained the third absorption … I attained the fourth absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the fourth absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the emptiness release … I attained the signless release … I attained the desireless release … I’m attaining … I have attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the desireless release,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the emptiness stillness … I attained the signless stillness … I attained the desireless stillness … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the desireless stillness,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the emptiness attainment … I attained the signless attainment … I attained the desireless attainment … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the desireless attainment,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the three true insights … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the three true insights,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the four applications of mindfulness … I attained the four right efforts … I attained the four bases for spiritual power … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the four bases for spiritual power,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the five spiritual faculties … I attained the five spiritual powers … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the five spiritual powers,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the seven factors of awakening … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the seven factors of awakening,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the noble eightfold path … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the noble eightfold path,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the fruit of stream-entry … I attained the fruit of once-returning … I attained the fruit of non-returning … I attained perfection … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I have added two sets of ellipses points that seem to be missing from the Pali of MS.1.625.I’ve realized perfection,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve given up sensual desire/I’ve renounced sensual desire/I’ve let go of sensual desire/I’ve abandoned sensual desire/I’ve relinquished sensual desire/I’ve forsaken sensual desire/I’ve thrown aside sensual desire,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve given up ill-will/I’ve renounced ill-will/I’ve let go of ill-will/I’ve abandoned ill-will/I’ve relinquished ill-will/I’ve forsaken ill-will/I’ve thrown aside ill-will,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I’ve given up confusion/I’ve renounced confusion/I’ve let go of confusion/I’ve abandoned confusion/I’ve relinquished confusion/I’ve forsaken confusion/I’ve thrown aside confusion,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

For an explanation of the term ʻbasic,’ suddhika, see Sp.2.497.6.The basic series is finished.

Combinations of two attainments

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the second absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the second absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the third absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the third absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the fourth absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the fourth absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the emptiness release … I attained the first absorption and the signless release … I attained the first absorption and the desireless release … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the desireless release,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the emptiness stillness … I attained the first absorption and the signless stillness … I attained the first absorption and the desireless stillness … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the desireless stillness,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the emptiness attainment … I attained the first absorption and the signless attainment … I attained the first absorption and the desireless attainment … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the desireless attainment,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the three true insights … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the three true insights,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the four applications of mindfulness … I attained the first absorption and the four right efforts … I attained the first absorption and the four bases for spiritual power … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the four bases for spiritual power,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the five spiritual faculties … I attained the first absorption and the five spiritual powers … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the five spiritual powers,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the seven factors of awakening … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the seven factors of awakening,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the noble eightfold path … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and the noble eightfold path,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the fruit of stream-entry … I attained the first absorption and the fruit of once-returning … I attained the first absorption and the fruit of non-returning … I attained the first absorption and perfection … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and perfection,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and I’ve given up sensual desire … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and I’ve given up sensual desire … and I’ve given up ill-will … and I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the first absorption and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire … and my mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will … and my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

For an explanation of the term ʻunconnected,’ khaṇḍa, see Sp.2.497.10.The unconnected permutation series is finished.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the second absorption and the third absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the second absorption and the third absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the second absorption and the fourth absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the second absorption and the fourth absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the second absorption and the emptiness release … and the signless release … and the desireless release … and the emptiness stillness … and the signless stillness … and the desireless stillness … and the emptiness attainment … and the signless attainment … and the desireless attainment … and the three true insights … and the four applications of mindfulness … and the four right efforts … and the four bases for spiritual power … and the five spiritual faculties … and the five spiritual powers … and the seven factors of awakening … and the noble eightfold path … and the fruit of stream-entry … and the fruit of once-returning … and the fruit of non-returning … and perfection … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the second absorption and perfection,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the second absorption and I’ve given up sensual desire … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the second absorption and I’ve given up sensual desire … and I’ve given up ill-will … and I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside … and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire … and my mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will … and my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the second absorption and the first absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the second absorption and the first absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled … he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

For an explanation of the term ʻlinked,’ baddha, see Sp.2.497.14.The linked permutation series.

In this way each root item is to be dealt with as in the linked permutation series.

Here it is in brief:

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the third absorption and the fourth absorption … the third absorption and perfection … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the third absorption and perfection,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the third absorption and I’ve given up sensual desire … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the third absorption and I’ve given up sensual desire … and I’ve given up ill-will … and I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside … and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire … and my mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will … and my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the third absorption and the first absorption … I attained the third absorption and the second absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … I’ve realized the third absorption and the second absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the first absorption … the second absorption … the third absorption … the fourth absorption … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the fourth absorption,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the emptiness release … and I attained the signless release … and I attained the desireless release … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the desireless release,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the emptiness stillness … and I attained the signless stillness … and I attained the desireless stillness … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the desireless stillness,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the emptiness attainment … and I attained the signless attainment … and I attained the desireless attainment … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the desireless attainment,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the three true insights … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the three true insights,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the four applications of mindfulness … and I attained the four right efforts … and I attained the four bases for spiritual power … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the four bases for spiritual power,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the five spiritual faculties … and I attained the five spiritual powers … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the five spiritual powers,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the seven factors of awakening … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the seven factors of awakening,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the noble eightfold path … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized the noble eightfold path,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the fruit of stream-entry … and I attained the fruit of once-returning … and I attained the fruit of non-returning … and I attained perfection … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … I obtain … I master … my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve realized perfection,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I’ve given up sensual desire … and I’ve given up ill-will … and I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire … and my mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

Although two attainments are given in each case of the above permutation series, it seems that only the one which remains unchanged within each sub-section is considered the root item. The section on one root item is finished.

Combinations of more than two attainments

The sections on two root items, etc., are to be given in detail in the same way as the section on one root item.

Combination of all attainments

This is the section on all root items:

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “I attained the first absorption and the second absorption and the third absorption and the fourth absorption and the emptiness release and the signless release and the desireless release and the emptiness stillness and the signless stillness and the desireless stillness and the emptiness attainment and the signless attainment and the desireless attainment and the three true insights and the four applications of mindfulness and the four right efforts and the four bases for spiritual power and the five spiritual faculties and the five spiritual powers and the seven factors of awakening and the noble eightfold path and the fruit of stream-entry and the fruit of once-returning and the fruit of non-returning and perfection … I’m attaining … I’ve attained … etc. … and I’ve given up sensual desire/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside and I’ve given up ill-will/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside and I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire and my mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will and my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

The section on all root items is finished.
The exposition of the section on the basic series is finished.

Meaning to say first absorption, but saying something else

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the first absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the second absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; In agreement with the commentary (Sp.2.501.10), I understand paṭivijānantassa to refer to the listener rather than the speaker. Grammatically the word could refer to either (it can be regarded as a genitive agreeing with bhaṇantassa, thus referring to the speaker, or it can be regarded as a dative of the person spoken to, that is, the listener), but logically it seems it must refer to the listener. Paṭivijānantassa refers to understanding the overall meaning of what is said, rather than knowing the exact words that have been spoken. Since the speaker knows he is lying, he understands the overall meaning. It follows that the understanding here must refer to the listener.if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the first absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the third absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the first absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the fourth absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the first absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the emptiness release … the signless release … the desireless release … the emptiness stillness … the signless stillness … the desireless stillness … the emptiness attainment … the signless attainment … the desireless attainment … the three true insights … the four applications of mindfulness … the four right efforts … the four bases for spiritual power … the five spiritual faculties … the five spiritual powers … the seven factors of awakening … the noble eightfold path … the fruit of stream-entry … the fruit of once-returning … the fruit of non-returning … perfection … I’ve given up sensual desire … I’ve given up ill-will … I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside … My mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire … My mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will … My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

The Pali text reads vatthu,“basis,ˮ rather than vattu, “speech.ˮ However, I have chosen to follow the alternative reading of vattu—found in the PTS edition and in the commentary (Sp.2.500.23)—since this seems more reasonable to me given the context. The unconnected permutation series on one root item with a speech extension is finished.

Meaning to say second absorption, but saying something else

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the second absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the third absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the second absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the fourth absorption … My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the second absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the first absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled … he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

The linked permutation series on one root item with a speech extension.
The basis in brief.

Meaning to say he is free from confusion, but saying something else

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” while actually saying, “I attained the first absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” while actually saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled … he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

The section on one root item with a speech extension is finished.

Meaning to say any particular combination of individual attainments, but saying something else

The sections on two root items, etc., are to be given in detail in the same way as the section on one root item.

Meaning to say all the attainments but one, and instead saying the remaining one

This is the section on all root items:

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the first absorption and the second absorption and the third absorption and the fourth absorption and the emptiness release and the signless release and the desireless release and the emptiness stillness and the signless stillness and the desireless stillness and the emptiness attainment and the signless attainment and the desireless attainment and the three true insights and the four applications of mindfulness and the four right efforts and the four bases for spiritual power and the five spiritual faculties and the five spiritual powers and the seven factors of awakening and the noble eightfold path and the fruit of stream-entry and the fruit of once-returning and the fruit of non-returning and perfection … and I’ve given up sensual desire … and I’ve given up ill-will … and I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire and my mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will,” while actually saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the second absorption and the third absorption and the fourth absorption and the emptiness release and the signless release and the desireless release and the emptiness stillness and the signless stillness and the desireless stillness and the emptiness attainment and the signless attainment and the desireless attainment and the three true insights and the four applications of mindfulness and the four right efforts and the four bases for spiritual power and the five spiritual faculties and the five spiritual powers and the seven factors of awakening and the noble eightfold path and the fruit of stream-entry and the fruit of once-returning and the fruit of non-returning and perfection … and I’ve given up sensual desire … and I’ve given up ill-will … and I’ve given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire and my mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will and my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion,” while actually saying, “I attained the first absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, there is a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “I attained the third absorption and the fourth absorption … and my mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the first absorption,” while actually saying, “I attained the second absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, meaning to say, “My mind is free from the hindrance of confusion and I attained the first absorption and the second absorption and the third absorption and the fourth absorption … and my mind is free from the hindrance of sensual desire,” while actually saying, “My mind is free from the hindrance of ill-will,” then, if the listener understands, he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

The section on all root items with a speech extension is finished.
The successive permutation series with a speech extension is finished.
The exposition of the section on ʻmeaning to say’ is finished.

Gross hinting: in regard to dwellings

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who stayed in your dwelling attained the first absorption … is attaining … has attained … obtains … masters … has realized the first absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who stayed in your dwelling attained the first absorption … is attaining … has attained … obtains … masters … has realized the first absorption,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when four … five … six … seven conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who stayed in your dwelling attained the second absorption … the third absorption … the fourth absorption … the emptiness release … the signless release … the desireless release … the emptiness stillness … the signless stillness … the desireless stillness … the emptiness attainment … the signless attainment … the desireless attainment … the three true insights … the four applications of mindfulness … the four right efforts … the four bases for spiritual power … the five spiritual faculties … the five spiritual powers … the seven factors of awakening … the noble eightfold path … the fruit of stream-entry … the fruit of once-returning … the fruit of non-returning … perfection … is attaining … has attained … obtains … masters … has realized perfection,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who stayed in your dwelling has given up sensual desire … has given up ill-will … has given up confusion/renounced it/let it go/abandoned it/relinquished it/forsaken it/thrown it aside,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who stayed in your dwelling has a mind free from the hindrance of sensual desire … a mind free from the hindrance of ill-will … a mind free from the hindrance of confusion,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who stayed in your dwelling attained the first absorption in an empty dwelling … the second absorption … the third absorption … the fourth absorption … is attaining … has attained … obtains … masters … has realized the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

Gross hinting: in regard to any requisite

The remainder should be given in detail in the same way:

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who made use of your robe-cloth … who made use of your almsfood … who made use of your dwelling … who made use of your medicines attained the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling … is attaining … has attained … obtains … masters … has realized the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled … he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk who has made use of your dwelling … who has made use of your robe-cloth … who has made use of your almsfood … who has made use of your dwelling … who has made use of your medicines attained the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling … is attaining … has attained … obtains … masters … has realized the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled … The Pali has an additional set of ellipses points between “who has made use of your medicines” and “attained the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling.” This seems to be a mistake.he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

If he lies in full awareness, saying, “The monk to whom you gave a dwelling … to whom you gave robe-cloth … to whom you gave almsfood … to whom you gave a dwelling … to whom you gave medicines he attained the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling … is attaining … has attained … obtains … masters … has realized the fourth absorption in an empty dwelling,” then, if the listener understands, he commits a serious offense when three conditions are fulfilled; if the listener does not understand, he commits an offense of wrong conduct when three conditions are fulfilled … when seven conditions are fulfilled: before he has lied, he knows he is going to lie; while lying, he knows he is lying; after he has lied, he knows he has lied; he misrepresents his view of what is true; he misrepresents his belief of what is true; he misrepresents his acceptance of what is true; he misrepresents his sentiment of what is true.

The successive fifteen are finished.
The exposition of the section on that connected with requisites is finished.
The successive permutation series on superhuman qualities is finished.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if he overestimates himself; if he does not intend to make a claim; if he is insane; if he is deranged; if he is overwhelmed by pain; if he is the first offender.

Case rulings

Case details, part 1

At one time a monk declared final knowledge because of overestimation. He became remorseful, thinking, “The Master has laid down a training rule. Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?” He told the Master. “There’s no offense for one who overestimates himself.”

At one time a monk lived in the wilderness because he wanted people to esteem him. People esteemed him. He became remorseful … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion. But, monks, you should not live in the wilderness because of a wish. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a monk was walking for almsfood because he wanted people to esteem him. People esteemed him. He became remorseful … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion. But, monks, you should not walk for almsfood because of a wish. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a monk said to another monk, “Those who are pupils of our preceptor are all perfected ones.” He became remorseful … “What was your intention, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, Master.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a monk said to another monk, “Those who are students of our preceptor all have great supernormal power.” He became remorseful … “What was your intention, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, Master.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a monk walked up and down because he wanted people to esteem him … stood because he wanted people to esteem him … sat because he wanted people to esteem him … laid down because he wanted people to esteem him. People esteemed him. He became remorseful … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion. But, monks, you should not walk up and down … stand … sit … lie down because of a wish. If you do, you commit an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality to another monk: “I’ve abandoned the fetters.” He became remorseful … “You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality in private. Another monk, knowing the mind of that monk, criticized him, “Don’t say that; you haven’t got it.” He became remorseful … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality in private. A god criticized him, “Venerable, don’t say that; you haven’t got it.” He became remorseful … “There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a monk said to a lay follower, “Whatever monk lives in your dwelling is a perfected one.” He was the one who lived in that dwelling. He became remorseful … “What was your intention, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, Master.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a monk said to a lay follower, “The one you attend on with robe-cloth, almsfood, dwellings, and medicines, he is a perfected one.” He was the one who was attended on in that way. He became remorseful … “What was your intention, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, Master.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “Venerable, do you have any superhuman quality?”

“It’s not difficult to declare final knowledge.”

He became remorseful and thought, “Those who are true disciples of the Master may say that, but I’m not such a disciple. Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?” He told the Master. “What was your intention, monk?”

“I didn’t intend to make a claim, Master.”

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “Venerable, do you have any superhuman quality?”

“A superhuman quality is to be reached by one who’s energetic.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid of death.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “Don’t be afraid.”

“One who’s remorseful might be afraid.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “Venerable, do you have any superhuman quality?”

“A superhuman quality is to be reached by one who applies himself rightly.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “Venerable, do you have any superhuman quality?”

“A superhuman quality is to be reached by one who’s energetic.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “Venerable, do you have any superhuman quality?”

“A superhuman quality is to be reached by one who exerts himself.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “We hope you’re bearing up, we hope you’re comfortable?”

“It’s not possible for just anyone to endure this.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a monk was sick. The monks said to him, “We hope you’re bearing up, we hope you’re comfortable?”

“It’s not possible for an ordinary person to endure this.” He became remorseful …

“What was your intention, monk?”

“I intended to make a claim, Master.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion, but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a brahmin invited the monks: “Let the good sirs, the perfected ones, come.”

They became remorseful and said, “We’re not perfected ones, and yet this brahmin speaks to us as if we were. What should we do?” They told the Master.

“There’s no offense when something is spoken in faith.”

At one time a brahmin invited the monks: “Let the good sirs, the perfected ones, be seated … Let the good sirs, the perfected ones, eat … Let the good sirs, the perfected ones, be satisfied … Let the good sirs, the perfected ones, go.”

They became remorseful and said, “We’re not perfected ones, and yet this brahmin speaks to us as if we were. What should we do?” They told the Master.

“There’s no offense when something is spoken in faith.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality to another monk: “I’ve abandoned the corruptions.” He became remorseful … “You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality to another monk: “I have these qualities.” He became remorseful … “You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality to another monk: “I conform to these qualities.” He became remorseful … “You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time the relatives of a certain monk said to him, “Come, Venerable, live at home.”

“One like me is incapable of living at home.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time the relatives of a certain monk said to him, “Come, Venerable, enjoy sense pleasures.”

“The pleasures of the senses have been rejected by me.” He became remorseful …

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time the relatives of a certain monk said to him, “Come, Venerable, enjoy yourself.”

“I’m enjoying myself with the highest enjoyment.”

He became remorseful, thinking, “Those who are true disciple of the Master may say that, but I’m not such a disciple. Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?” He told the Master.

“What was your intention, monk?”

“I didn’t intend to make a claim, Master.”

“There’s no offense for one who doesn’t intend to make a claim.”

At one time a number of monks entered the rainy season residence in a certain monastery, making this agreement: “Whomever sets out from this monastery first, we’ll know him as a perfected one.”

One of the monks thought, “Let them know me as a perfected one,” and he set out first from that monastery. He became remorseful …

“You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

Case details, part 2

At one time the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrel sanctuary, while Venerable Lakkhaṇa and Venerable Mahāmoggallāna were staying on Mount Vulture Peak. One morning Mahāmoggallāna robed up, took his bowl and robe, approached Lakkhaṇa, and said, “Lakkhaṇa, let’s enter Rājagaha for almsfood.”

“Yes.”

As they were descending from Mount Vulture Peak, Mahāmoggallāna smiled at a certain place. Lakkhaṇa asked him, “Why are you smiling?”

“This isn’t the right time to reply. Please ask me in the presence of the Master.”

Then, after their meal and after returning from almsround, Lakkhaṇa and Mahāmoggallāna approached the Master and sat down to one side. And Lakkhaṇa said to Mahāmoggallāna:

“Just now, as you were descending from Mount Vulture Peak, you smiled at a certain place. Why was that?”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a skeleton flying through the air. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of it, striking it between the ribs, while it uttered cries of distress. And I thought how amazing and astonishing it is that such a being should exist, such a spirit, such a state of existence.”

The monks complained and criticized him, “Venerable Mahāmoggallāna is claiming a superhuman ability.”

The Master then said to them:

“There are disciples who have vision and knowledge, and they can see, know, and witness such things. I too, monks, have seen that being, but I didn’t speak about it. If I had, others wouldn’t have believed me, and that would have been for their harm and suffering for long time. That being was a cattle-butcher in this very Rājagaha. As a result of his deeds, he was tormented in hell for many years, for many hundreds of years, for many thousands of years, for many hundreds of thousands of years. And now, because of the remaining result of his actions, he’s experiencing such an existence. Moggallāna spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a lump of flesh flying through the air. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of it, tearing at it and pulling it to pieces, while it uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a cattle-butcher in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a morsel of flesh flying through the air. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of it, tearing at it and pulling it to pieces, while it uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a poultry-butcher in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a flayed man flying through the air. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of him, tearing at him and pulling him to pieces, while he uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a sheep-butcher in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man who had body hairs of swords flying through the air. Again and again he was stabbed by those swords, while uttering cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a butcher of pigs in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man with body hairs of knives flying through the air. Again and again he was stabbed by those knives, while uttering cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a deer-hunter in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man with body hairs of arrows flying through the air. Again and again he was pierced by those arrows, while uttering cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a torturer in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man with body hairs of needles flying through the air. Again and again he was pierced by those needles, while uttering cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a horse trainer in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man with body hairs of needles flying through the air. Those needles pierced his head and came out through his mouth, entered his mouth and came out through his breast, entered his breast and came out through his stomach, entered his stomach and came out through his thighs, entered his thighs and came out through his calves, entered his calves and came out through his feet— and he uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a slanderer in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man flying through the air who had testicles like pots. When he walked, he had to lift his testicles on to his shoulder; and when he sat down, he sat on top of his testicles. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of him, tearing at him and pulling him to pieces, while he uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a corrupt magistrate in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man sunk over his head in a pit of dung …”

“… That being, monks, was an adulterer in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a man sunk over his head in a pit of dung, eating dung with both hands …”

“… That being, monks, was a wicked brahmin in this very Rājagaha. At the time of Kassapa, the fully Awakened One, he invited the Order of monks to a meal. He filled a trough with dung, announced the time, and said, ‘Sirs, eat as much as you like and take the rest away with you.’ …

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a flayed woman flying through the air. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of her, tearing at her and pulling her to pieces, while she uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That woman, monks, was an adulteress in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a foul-smelling and ugly woman flying through the air. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of her, tearing at her and pulling her to pieces, while she uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That woman, monks, was a fortune-teller in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a woman flying through the air who was roasting, sweltering, and sooty. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of her, tearing at her and pulling her to pieces, while she uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That woman, monks, was the chief queen of the King of Kāliṅga. Because of jealousy, she threw out her rival and poured a pan of burning coals over her. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw the headless trunk of a body flying through the air, with eyes and mouth on its chest. Vultures, crows, and hawks were in close pursuit of it, tearing at it and pulling it to pieces, while it uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was an executioner called Hārika in this very Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a monk flying through the air. His outer robe was ablaze and burning, as were his bowl, his belt, and his body. He uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… During the time of the Buddha Kassapa’s dispensation, that monk was a bad monk.” …

“As I was coming down from Mount Vulture Peak, I saw a nun … I saw a trainee nun … I saw a novice monk … I saw a novice nun flying through the air. Her outer robe was ablaze and burning, as were her bowl, her belt, and her body. She uttered cries of distress. And I thought how amazing and astonishing it is that such a being should exist, such a spirit, such a state of existence.”

The monks complained and criticized him, “Venerable Moggallāna is claiming a superhuman ability.”

The Master then said to them:

“There are disciples who possess vision and knowledge, and they can see, know, and witness such things. I too, monks, have seen this novice nun, but I didn’t speak about it. If I had, others wouldn’t have believed me, and that would have been for their harm and suffering for a long time. During the time of Buddha Kassapa’s dispensation, that novice nun was a bad novice nun. As a result of her deeds, she was tormented in hell for many years, for many hundreds of years, for many thousands of years, for many hundreds of thousands of years. And now, because of the remaining result of her actions, she’s experiencing such an existence. Moggallāna spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”

Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to the monks, “This stream, the Tapodā, flows from a lake with beautiful waters—cool, sweet, and pure—with smooth and pleasant banks, with an abundance of fish and turtles, and with blooming lotuses the size of wheels.”

The monks complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Mahāmoggallāna say such a thing? On the contrary, the Tapodā is hot. Venerable Mahāmoggallāna is claiming a superhuman ability.” And they told the Master.

“Monks, the Tapodā flows from a lake of beautiful waters—with smooth and pleasant banks, with an abundance of fish and turtles, and with blooming lotuses the size of wheels. But the Tapodā runs between the two great hells; that’s why it’s hot. Moggallāna spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”

At one time King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha was defeated in battle by the Licchavīs. The King then rallied his army and beat the Licchavīs. People were delighted and the word spread: “The Licchavīs have been defeated by the king!”

Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to the monks: “The King was defeated by the Licchavīs.”

The monks complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Moggallāna say that the King was defeated by the Licchavīs when people are delighted and the word is spreading that the Licchavīs have been defeated by the King? Venerable Mahāmoggallāna is claiming a superhuman ability.” They told the Master.

“Monks, first the King was defeated by the Licchavīs, but then, after he had rallied his army, the King beat the Licchavīs. Moggallāna spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”

Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to the monks: “After attaining an imperturbable stillness on the banks of the river Sappinikā, I heard the noise of elephants plunging in, emerging, and trumpeting.”

The monks complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Mahāmoggallāna say such a thing? He’s claiming a superhuman ability.” They told the Master.

“Monks, there is such a stillness, but it’s not wholly purified. Moggallāna spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”

Venerable Sobhita said to the monks, “I can recall five hundred eons.”

The monks complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Sobhita say that he can recall five hundred eons? He’s claiming a superhuman ability.” They told the Master.

“Monks, Sobhita has this ability, and that was just one birth. Sobhita spoke truthfully. There’s no offense for Sobhita.”

The fourth offense entailing expulsion is finished.

“Venerables, the four rules entailing expulsion have been recited. If a monk commits any one of them, he is no longer part of the community of monks. As before, so after, he’s expelled and excluded from the community. In regard to this I ask you, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A second time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A third time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ You are pure in this and therefore silent. I will remember it thus.”

The rules entailing expulsion are finished.

This is the summary:

The chapter on offenses entailing expulsion is finished.