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JOURNAL R. A. S. (CEYLON). [VOL II., PART II. 



ciliation. But Buddha decreed :— 



6. " I direct, priests, that those who are suspended shall not 

 be without seeking forgiveness. He who does not seek forgive- 

 ness is guilty of Dukkata " 



Borne upajjhayo, upon forgiveness being solicited, refused to 

 be reconciled. This was reported to Buddha, who decreed: — - 



7. " I direct, priests, that forgiveness be granted,* 



Notwithstanding this direction, some of the upajjhayo would 

 not forgive; and the co-resident priests being discouraged, left 

 the priesthood, or joined themselves to other religious communi- 

 ties. Upon this Buddha decreed: — 



8. " It is not proper, priests, to refuse forgiveness when it is 

 solicited. He who refuses to forgive is guilty of Dukkata." 



Some superiors suspended the obedient, and permitted the 

 disobedient to remain free. This being reported to Buddha, he 

 decreed : — 



9. " It is not proper, priests, to suspend those who perform 

 their duty. He who does so is guilty of Dukkata." 



10. "It is improper, priests, not to suspend those who 

 neglect their duty . He who does not place such under suspen- 

 sion, is guilty of Dukkata." 



On one occasion a Brahmin requested ordination, but the 

 priests (to whom he applied) were not willing to grant his 

 request ; upon which he pined away with grief, lost his colour 

 and became very unhappy. Buddha noticed the change in his 

 appearance, and enquired respecting the cause. They informed 

 him; upon which he asked, "Does any priest remember any 

 good deed performed by this Brahmin ? " Sariputto said that 

 he remembered a good act ; for that on one occasion the 



* Or : " Priests, I command to forgive," for the permission or direction is 

 always regarded as a command when spoken by Buddha. 



