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

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 based on one item with a speech extension is finished.

The basis in brief is finished.¹⁵

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 based on one item with a speech extension is finished.

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

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

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

This is the section based on all 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 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’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 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’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, he commits 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 based on all items with a speech extension is finished.

The successive permutation series with a speech extension is finished.

The exposition of the section on “meaning 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 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,” …

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 solitude,” …

the second absorption …

the third absorption …

the fourth absorption …

is attaining …

has attained …

obtains …

masters …

has realized the fourth absorption in solitude,” 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 furniture …

who made use of your medicinal supplies attained the fourth absorption in solitude,” …

is attaining …

has attained …

obtains …

masters …

has realized the fourth absorption in solitude,” 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 furniture …¹⁶

who has made use of your medicinal supplies¹⁷

attained the fourth absorption in solitude,” …

is attaining …

has attained …

obtains …

masters …

has realized the fourth absorption in solitude,” 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 you gave a dwelling to …

you gave robe-cloth to …

you gave almsfood to …

you gave furniture to …

you gave medicinal supplies to, he attained the fourth absorption in solitude,” …

is attaining …

has attained …

obtains …

masters …

he has realized the fourth absorption in solitude,” 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.

Summary verses of case studies

“About overestimation, in the wilderness,

Almsfood, preceptor, behavior;

Fetters, qualities while in solitude,

Dwelling, supported.

Not difficult, and then energy, fear of death,

Remorseful friend, rightly;

To be reached by energy, to be reached by exertion,

Then two on the enduring of feeling.

Five cases of a brahmin,

Three on declaring final knowledge;

Home, rejected worldly pleasures,

And delight, set out.

Bone, and lump—both are cattle butchers;

A morsel is a poultry butcher, a sheep butcher is flayed;

And a pig butcher and sword, a deer hunter and knife,

And a torturer and arrow, a horse trainer and needle.

And a slanderer is sewn,

A corrupt magistrate had testicles as burden;

An adulterer submerged in a pit,

An eater of feces was a wicked brahmin.

A flayed woman was an adulteress,

An ugly woman was a fortune-teller;

A sweating woman poured coals on a co-wife,

A beheaded man was an executioner.

A monk, a nun, a trainee nun,

A novice monk, then a novice nun—

These having gone forth in the training of Kassapa

did bad deeds right there.

The Tapodā, battle in Rājagaha,

And with the plunging in of elephants;

The perfected monk Sobhita

recalled five hundred eons.”

Case studies, part 1

At one time a monk declared final knowledge because of overestimation.

He became anxious, thinking,

“The Buddha has laid down a training rule.

Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?”

He told the Buddha.

“There’s no offense for overestimates.”

At one time a monk lived in the wilderness

because he wanted people to esteem him.

People esteemed him.

He became anxious …

“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 anxious …

“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 anxious …

“What were you thinking, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, sir.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion,

but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a monk said to another monk,

“Those who are pupils of our preceptor all have great supernormal power.”

He became anxious …

“What were you thinking, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, sir.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion,

but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a monk did walking meditation because he wanted people to esteem him …

stood because he wanted people to esteem him …

sat because he wanted people to esteem him …

lay down

because he wanted people to esteem him.

People esteemed him.

He became anxious …

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion.

But, monks, you should not 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, saying,

“I’ve abandoned the fetters.”

He became anxious …

“You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality while in solitude.

A monk who could read minds rebuked him, saying,

“No, you haven’t got it.”

He became anxious …

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion,

but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality while in solitude.

A god rebuked him, saying,

“No, sir, you haven’t got it.”

He became anxious …

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion,

but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a monk said to a lay follower,

“The monk living in your dwelling is a perfected one.”

He was the one who lived in that dwelling.

He became anxious …

“What were you thinking, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, sir.”

“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 support with with robe-cloth, almsfood, a dwelling, and medicinal supplies, he’s a perfected one.”

He was the one who was supported in that way.

He became anxious …

“What were you thinking, monk?”

“I wanted to make a claim, sir.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion,

but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a monk was ill.

The monks said to him,

“Venerable, do you have any superhuman qualities?”

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

He became anxious, thinking,

“Those who are true disciples of the Buddha may say that,

but I’m no such disciple.

Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?”

He told the Buddha.

“What were you thinking, monk?”

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

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

At one time a monk was ill.

The monks said to him,

“Venerable, do you have any superhuman qualities?”

“Superhuman qualities are attained by those who are energetic.”

He became anxious …

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

At one time a monk was ill.

The monks said to him,

“Don’t be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid of death.”

He became anxious …

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

At one time a monk was ill.

The monks said to him,

“Don’t be afraid.”

“One who’s remorseful might be afraid.”

He became anxious …

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

At one time a monk was ill.

The monks said to him,

“Venerable, do you have any superhuman qualities?”

“Superhuman qualities are attained by those who apply themselves rightly.”

He became anxious …

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

At one time a monk was ill.

The monks said to him,

“Venerable, do you have any superhuman qualities?”

“Superhuman qualities are attained by those who are energetic.”

He became anxious …

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

At one time a monk was ill.

The monks said to him,

“Venerable, do you have any superhuman qualities?”

“Superhuman qualities are attained by those who exert themselves.”

He became anxious …

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

At one time a monk was ill.

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 anxious …

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

At one time a monk was ill.

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 anxious …

“What were you thinking, monk?”

“I intended to make a claim, sir.”

“There’s no offense entailing expulsion,

but there’s a serious offense.”

At one time a brahmin invited the monks, saying,

“Perfected sirs, please come.”

They became anxious, thinking,

“We’re not perfected ones,

and yet this brahmin speaks to us as if we are.

What should we do?”

They told the Buddha.

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

At one time a brahmin invited the monks, saying,

“Perfected sirs, please be seated.” …

“Perfected sirs, please eat.” …

“Perfected sirs, please be satisfied.” …

“Perfected sirs, please go.”

They became anxious, thinking,

“We’re not perfected ones,

and yet this brahmin speaks to us as if we are.

What should we do?”

They told the Buddha.

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

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality to another monk, saying,

“I’ve abandoned the corruptions.”

He became anxious …

“You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality to another monk, saying,

“I have these qualities.”

He became anxious …

“You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time a monk claimed a superhuman quality to another monk, saying,

“I conform to these qualities.”

He became anxious …

“You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

At one time the relatives of a certain monk said to him,

“Come, sir, live at home.”

“One like me is incapable of living at home.”

He became anxious …

“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, sir, enjoy worldly pleasures.”

“The pleasures of the world have been rejected by me.”

He became anxious …

“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, sir, enjoy yourself.”

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

He became anxious,

thinking, “Those who are true disciples of the Buddha may say that,

but I’m no such disciple.

Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion?”

He told the Buddha.

“What were you thinking, monk?”

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

“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:

“Whoever sets out from this monastery first, we’ll know him as a perfected one.”

One of them thought,

“Let them think I’m a perfected one,”

and he set out first from that monastery.

He became anxious …

“You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”

Case studies, part 2

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrel sanctuary,

Venerable Lakkhaṇa and Venerable Mahāmoggallāna were staying on the Vulture Peak.

One morning Mahāmoggallāna robed up, took his bowl and robe, went to Lakkhaṇa, and said,

“Lakkhaṇa, let’s enter Rājagaha for almsfood.”

“Yes.”

As they descended from the Vulture Peak, Mahāmoggallāna smiled at a certain place.

Lakkhaṇa asked him why, and Māhamoggallāna replied,

“This isn’t the right time to ask.

Please ask me in the presence of the Buddha.”

Then, when they had eaten their meal and returned from almsround, Lakkhaṇa and Mahāmoggallāna went to the Buddha,

bowed, and sat down.

And Lakkhaṇa said to Mahāmoggallāna,

“Earlier on, as we were descending from the Vulture Peak, you smiled at a certain place.

Why was that?”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a skeleton flying through the air.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing 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.”

But the monks complained and criticized him,

“He’s claiming a superhuman ability!”

The Buddha then said to them:

“There are disciples who have vision

and knowledge,

who can know, see, 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,

which would have led to their harm and suffering for a long time.

That being was a cattle butcher right here in Rājagaha.

As a result of his deeds, he was tormented in hell 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 the Vulture Peak, I saw a lump of flesh flying through the air.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing it, tearing at it and pulling it to pieces,

while it uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a cattle butcher right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a morsel of flesh flying through the air.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing it, tearing at it and pulling it to pieces,

while it uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a poultry butcher right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a flayed man flying through the air.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing him, tearing at him and pulling him to pieces,

while he uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a sheep butcher right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man with swords for body hairs flying through the air.

Again and again he was stabbed by those swords,

while uttering cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a pig butcher right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man with knives for body hairs 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 right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man with arrows for body hairs flying through the air.

Again and again he was pierced by those arrows,

while uttering cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a torturer right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man with needles for body hairs 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 right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man with needles for body hairs flying through the air.

Those needles entered 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,

as he uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a slanderer right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man flying through the air with testicles like pots.

When he moved, he lifted his testicles onto his shoulders;

when he sat down, he sat on top of his testicles.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing him, tearing at him and pulling him to pieces,

while he uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was a corrupt magistrate right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man submerged in a cesspit …” …

“… That being, monks, was an adulterer right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a man submerged in a cesspit, eating feces with both hands …” …

“… That being, monks, was a wicked brahmin right here in Rājagaha.

At the time of Kassapa, the fully Awakened One, he had invited the Sangha of monks to a meal. He filled a trough with feces, had them informed that the meal was ready, and said,

‘Sirs, eat as much as you like and take the leftovers with you.’ …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a flayed woman flying through the air.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing her, tearing at her and pulling her to pieces,

while she uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That woman, monks, was an adulteress right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a foul-smelling and ugly woman flying through the air.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing her, tearing at her and pulling her to pieces,

while she uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That woman, monks, was a fortune-teller right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a woman flying through the air, roasting, sweltering, and sooty.

Vultures, crows, and hawks were pursuing 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.

Overcome by jealousy, she poured a pan of burning coals over a rival. …”

“As I was coming down from the 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 pursuing it, tearing at it and pulling it to pieces,

while it uttered cries of distress. …” …

“… That being, monks, was an executioner called Hārika right here in Rājagaha. …”

“As I was coming down from the Vulture Peak, I saw a monk flying through the air.

His outer robe was ablaze and burning, as were his bowl, belt, and body.¹⁸

He uttered cries of distress. …” …

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

“As I was coming down from the 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, belt, and 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.”

But the monks complained and criticized him,

“He’s claiming a superhuman ability!”

The Buddha then said to them:

“There are disciples who have vision

and knowledge,

who can know, see, and witness such things.

I too, monks, have seen that novice nun,

but I didn’t speak about it.

If I had, others wouldn’t have believed me,

which would have led to their harm and suffering for a long time.

During the time of Buddha Kassapa’s dispensation, she was a bad novice nun.

As a result of her deeds, she was tormented in hell 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 clear water—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 talk like this

when the Tapodā is actually hot?

He’s claiming a superhuman ability!”

And they told the Buddha.

“Monks, the Tapodā does flow from a lake with clear water—cool, sweet, and pure—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 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

that the Licchavīs had been defeated by the king.

But Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to the monks,

“The king was defeated by the Licchavīs.”

The monks complained and criticized him,

“How can Venerable Moggallāna talk like this

when people are delighted

and the word is spreading that the Licchavīs have been defeated by the king?

He’s claiming a superhuman ability!”

They told the Buddha.

“Monks, first the king was defeated by the Licchavīs,

but then he rallied his army and beat them.

Moggallāna spoke truthfully.

There’s no offense for Moggallāna.”

Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to the monks,

“After attaining an unshakable stillness on the banks of the river Sappinikā, I heard the sound of elephants plunging in and emerging from the water, and trumpeting too.”

The monks complained and criticized him,

“How can Venerable Mahāmoggallāna talk like this?

He’s claiming a superhuman ability!”

They told the Buddha.

“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 talk like this?

He’s claiming a superhuman ability!”

They told the Buddha.

“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 on 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 offenses entailing expulsion are finished.

This is the summary:

“Sexual intercourse, and stealing,

Person, super—

The four offenses entailing expulsion,

Definitive grounds for cutting off.”

The chapter on offenses entailing expulsion is finished.