Part 17 (1/2)
Then the Blessed One rose and went to the brethren who sided with the expelled brother and said to them: ”Do not think, O bhikkhus, that if you have given offence you need not atone for it, thinking: 'We are without offence.' When a bhikkhu has committed an offence, which he considers no offence while the brotherhood consider him guilty, he should think: 'These brethren know the Dharma and the rules of the order; they are learned, wise, intelligent, modest, conscientious, and ready to submit themselves to discipline; it is impossible that they should on my account act with selfishness or in malice or in delusion or in fear.' Let him stand in awe of causing divisions, and rather acknowledge his offence on the authority of his brethren.” 7
Both parties continued to keep Uposatha and perform official acts independently of one another; and when their doings were related to the Blessed One, he ruled that the keeping of Uposatha and the performance of official acts were lawful, un.o.bjectionable, and valid for both parties. For he said: ”The bhikkhus who side with the expelled brother form a different communion from those who p.r.o.nounced the sentence. There are venerable brethren in both parties. As they do not agree, let them keep Uposatha and perform official acts separately.” 8
And the Blessed One reprimanded the quarrelsome bhikkhus saying to them: 9
”Loud is the voice which worldlings make; but how can they be blamed when divisions arise also in the Sangha? Hatred is not appeased in those who think: 'He has reviled me, he has wronged me, he has injured me.' 10
”For not by hatred is hatred appeased. Hatred is appeased by not-hatred. This is an eternal law. 11
”There are some who do not know the need of self-restraint; if they are quarrelsome we may excuse their behavior. But those who know better, should learn to live in concord. 12
”If a man finds a wise friend who lives righteously and is constant in his character, he may live with him, overcoming all dangers, happy and mindful. 13
”But if he finds not a friend who lives righteously and is constant in his character, let him rather walk alone, like a king who leaves his empire and the cares of government behind him to lead a life of retirement like a lonely elephant in the forest. 14
”With fools there is no companions.h.i.+p. Rather than to live with men who are selfish, vain, quarrelsome, and obstinate let a man walk alone.” 15
And the Blessed One thought to himself: ”It is no easy task to instruct these headstrong and infatuate fools.” And he rose from his seat and went away. 16
x.x.xVII.
THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF CONCORD.
Whilst the dispute between the parties was not yet settled, the Blessed One left Kosambi, and wandering from place to place he came at last to Savatthi. 1
And in the absence of the Blessed One the quarrels grew worse, so that the Jay devotees of Kosambi became annoyed and they said: ”These quarrelsome monks are a great nuisance and will bring upon us misfortunes. Worried by their altercations the Blessed One is gone, and has selected another abode for his residence. Let us, therefore, neither salute the bhikkhus nor support them. They are not worthy of wearing yellow robes, and must either propitiate the Blessed One, or return to the world.” 2
And the bhikkhus of Kosambi, when no longer honored and no longer supported by the lay devotees, began to repent and said: ”Let us go to the Blessed One and let him settle the question of our disagreement.” 3
And both parties went to Savatthi to the Blessed One. And the venerable Sariputta, having heard of their arrival, addressed the Blessed One and said: ”These contentious, disputatious, and quarrelsome bhikkhus of Kosambi, the authors of dissensions, have come to Savatthi. How am I to behave, O Lord, toward those bhikkhus.” 4
”Do not reprove them, Sariputta,” said the Blessed One, ”for harsh words do not serve as a remedy and are pleasant to no one.
a.s.sign separate dwelling-places to each party and treat them with impartial justice. Listen with patience to both parties. He alone who weighs both sides is called a muni. When both parties have presented their case, let the Sangha come to an agreement and declare the re-establishment of concord.” 5
And Paj.a.pati, the matron, asked the Blessed One for advice, and the Blessed One said: ”Let both parties enjoy the gifts of lay members, be they robes or food, as they may need, and let no one receive any noticeable preference over any other.” 6
And the venerable Upali, having approached the Blessed One, asked concerning the re-establishment of peace in the Sangha: ”Would it be right, O Lord,” said he, ”that the Sangha, to avoid further disputations, should declare the restoration of concord without inquiring into the matter of the quarrel?” 7
And the Blessed One said: 8
”If the Sangha declares the re-establishment of concord without having inquired into the matter, the declaration is neither right nor lawful. 9
”There are two ways of re-establis.h.i.+ng concord; one is in the letter, and the other one is in the spirit and in the letter. 10
”If the Sangha declares the re-establishment of concord without having inquired into the matter, the peace is concluded in the letter only. But if the Sangha, having inquired into the matter and having gone to the bottom of it, decides to declare the re-establishment of concord, the peace is concluded in the spirit and also in the letter. 11
”The concord re-established in the spirit and in the letter is alone right and lawful.” 12
And the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus and told them the story of Prince Dighavu, the Long-lived. He said: 13