The training rule on falsely claiming a superhuman quality (PLI-TV-BU-VB-PJ4)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing expulsion

The training rule on falsely claiming a superhuman quality

Origin story

First substory

At one time when the Buddha was staying in the house with the peaked roof in the Great Wood near Vesālī,

a number of monks who were friends had entered the rainy-season residence on the banks of the river Vaggumudā.

At that time Vajjī was short of food and afflicted with hunger, with crops affected by whiteheads and turned to straw.¹

It was not easy to get by on almsfood.

The monks considered the difficult circumstances, and they thought,

“How can we have a comfortable rains, live in peace and harmony,

and get almsfood without trouble?”

Some said,

“We could work for the householders,

and they’ll support us in return.”

Others said,

“There’s no need to work for the householders.

Let’s instead take messages for them,

and they’ll support us in return.”

Still others said,

“There’s no need to work or take messages for them.

Let’s instead talk up one another’s superhuman qualities to the householders:

‘That monk has the first absorption,

that monk the second absorption,

that monk the third,

that monk the fourth;

that monk is a streamenterer,

that monk a once-returner,

that a non-returner,

that a perfected one;

that monk has the three true insights,

and that the six direct knowledges.’

Then they’ll support us.

In this way we’ll have a comfortable and harmonious rains,

and get almsfood without trouble.

This is the way to go.”

Then those monks did just that.

And the people there thought,

“We’re so fortunate that such monks have come to us for the rainy-season residence.

Such virtuous and good monks 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.

Soon those monks had a good color, bright faces, clear skin, and sharp senses.

Now it was the custom for monks who had completed the rainy-season residence to go and visit the Buddha.

And so, when the three months were over and they had completed the rains residence, those monks put their dwellings in order, took their bowls and robes, and set out for Vesālī.

When they eventually arrived, they went to the house with the peaked roof in the Great Wood. There they approached the Buddha, bowed, and sat down.

At that time the monks who had completed the rains residence in that region were thin, haggard, and pale, with veins protruding all over their bodies.

Yet the monks from the banks of the Vaggumudā had a good color, bright faces, clear skin, and sharp senses.

Since it is the custom for Buddhas to greet newly-arrived monks,

the Buddha said to them,

“I hope you’re keeping well, monks, I hope you’re getting by?

I hope you had a comfortable and harmonious rains, and got almsfood without trouble?”

“We’re keeping well, sir, we’re getting by.

We had a comfortable and harmonious rains, and got almsfood without trouble.”

When Buddhas know what is going on, sometimes they ask and sometimes not. They know the right time to ask and when not to ask. Buddhas ask when it is beneficial, otherwise they do not, for Buddhas are incapable of doing what is unbeneficial.²

Buddhas question the monks for two reasons: to give a teaching or to lay down a training rule.

And the Buddha said to those monks,

“In what way, monks, did you have a comfortable and harmonious rains? And how did you get almsfood without trouble?”

They then told him.

“But did you really have those superhuman qualities?”

“No, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them,

“It’s not suitable, foolish men, it’s not proper, it’s not worthy of a monastic, it’s not allowable, it’s not to be done.

How could you for the sake of your stomachs talk up one another’s superhuman qualities to householders?

It would be better for your bellies to be cut open with a sharp butcher’s knife than for you to talk up one another’s superhuman qualities to householders.

Why is that?

For although it might cause death or death-like suffering,

it would not cause you to be reborn in a bad destination.

But this might.

This will affect people’s confidence …”

After rebuking them and giving a teaching, he addressed the monks:

“Monks, there are these five notorious gangsters to be found in the world.

What five?

There is the notorious gangster who thinks like this:

‘When the heck will I walk about in villages, towns, and royal capitals, with a following of a hundred or a thousand men,

killing, destroying, and torturing?’

Then after some time, he does just that.

Just so, monks, a bad monk thinks like this:

‘When the heck will I walk about in villages, towns, and royal capitals, with a following of a hundred or a thousand people,

being honored, respected, and revered by both lay people and those gone forth, getting robes, almsfood, dwellings, and medicinal supplies?’

Then after some time, he does just that.

This is the first notorious gangster to be found in the world.

Or a bad monk learns the spiritual path proclaimed by the Buddha and takes it as his own.

This is the second notorious gangster to be found in the world.

Or a bad monk groundlessly charges someone living a pure spiritual life with a sexual offense.

This is the third notorious gangster to be found in the world.

Or a bad monk takes valuable goods and requisites from the Sangha—

a monastery, the site of a monastery, a dwelling, the site of a dwelling, a bed, a bench, a mattress, a pillow, a metal pot, a metal jar, a metal bucket, a metal bowl, a machete, a hatchet, an ax, a spade, a chisel, a creeper, bamboo, a reed, grass, clay, wooden goods, ceramic goods—³

and uses them to bribe and create a following among householders.

This is the fourth notorious gangster to be found in the world.

But in this world with its gods, lords of death, and supreme beings, in this society with its monastics and brahmins, its gods and humans, this is the most notorious gangster of all: one who claims to have a non-existent superhuman quality.

Why is that?

Monks, you’ve eaten the country’s almsfood by theft.”

“Whoever should declare himself⁴

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’s better to eat an iron ball,

As hot as a licking flame,

Than for the immoral and uncontrolled

To eat the country’s alms.”

After rebuking the monks from the banks of the Vaggumudā in many ways for being difficult to maintain, difficult to support …

“And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk falsely claims for himself a superhuman quality, a 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 seeking 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 Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second substory

Soon afterwards a number of monks, thinking they had seen and realized what in fact they had not, declared final knowledge because of overestimation.

After some time, their minds inclined to sensual desire, ill will, and confusion.

They became anxious, thinking,

“The Buddha 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 Buddha.

He said, “This is negligible, Ānanda.

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

Final ruling

‘If a monk falsely claims for himself a superhuman quality, a 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 seeking purification—should say: “Not knowing I said that I know, not seeing that I see; what I said was empty and false,” then,

except if 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 unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible 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 solitude.⁵

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 householder or a monastic.

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 instant, the second after he has made the claim.

He is questioned:

he is questioned in regard to what he has claimed:

“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 to have a non-existent superhuman quality, he has committed an offense entailing expulsion.

Seeking purification:

he desires to be a householder, a lay follower, a monastery worker, 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.”

Except if it is due to overestimation:

unless it is due to 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 is a monk with bad desires, overcome by desire, who claims to have a non-existent superhuman quality not an ascetic, not a Sakyan monastic.

Therefore it is said, “he is expelled.”

Excluded from the community:

Community: joint legal procedures, a joint recitation, 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 solitude.

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 foundations for 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 streamentry, 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 solitude:

because of the first absorption, there is delight in solitude;

because of the second absorption, there is delight in solitude;

because of the third absorption, there is delight in solitude;

because of the fourth absorption, there is delight in solitude.

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;

he misrepresents his view of what is true.⁶

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 should all 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’ve attained …

“I obtain …

“I master …

“I’ve realized the desireless release,” he commits an offense entailing expulsion when three conditions are fulfilled: …

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 foundations for supernormal power,” …

“I’m attaining …

“I’ve attained …

“I obtain …

“I master …

“I’ve realized the four foundations for supernormal 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 streamentry,” …

“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’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, 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’ve given up ill will, 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’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 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.

The basic series is finished.⁷

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 foundations for supernormal power,” …

“I’m attaining …

“I’ve attained …

“I obtain …

“I master …

“I’ve realized the first absorption and the four foundations for supernormal 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 streamentry,” …

“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.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.⁸

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 foundations for supernormal 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 streamentry,” …

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.

The linked permutation series is finished.⁹

In this way each section 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,” …¹⁰

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. …¹¹

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 foundations for supernormal 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 foundations for supernormal 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 streamentry,” …

and I attained the fruit of once-returning,” …

and I attained the fruit of non-returning,” …

and I attained perfection,” …

and I’m attaining …

and I’ve attained …

and I obtain …

and 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.

The section based on one item is finished.¹²

Combinations of more than two attainments

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

Combination of all attainments

This is the section based on all 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 foundations for supernormal 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 streamentry and the fruit of once-returning and the fruit of non-returning and perfection …

and I’m attaining …

and 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 based on all 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;¹³

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 foundations for supernormal power,” …

the five spiritual faculties,” …

the five spiritual powers,” …

the seven factors of awakening,” …

the noble eightfold path,” …

the fruit of streamentry,” …

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 unconnected permutation series based on one item with a speech extension is finished.¹⁴