[232] Now at that time several bhikkhus, perceiving what they had not seen as seen, perceiving what they had not attained as attained, perceiving what they had not achieved as achieved, perceiving what they had not realized as realized, declared final knowledge (aññā) out of overestimation (adhimāna). At a later time their minds (citta) inclined to lust, inclined to hatred, and inclined to delusion. They were remorseful, thinking: "A training rule has been laid down by the Blessed One, and we, perceiving what we had not seen as seen, perceiving what we had not attained as attained, perceiving what we had not achieved as achieved, perceiving what we had not realized as realized, declared final knowledge out of overestimation. Could it be that we have committed a pārājika offense?" They¹ informed the Venerable Ānanda of this matter. The Venerable Ānanda informed the Blessed One of this matter. [The Blessed One said:] "There are indeed, Ānanda,² bhikkhus who, perceiving what they have not seen as seen, perceiving what they have not attained as attained, perceiving what they have not achieved as achieved, perceiving what they have not realized as realized, declare final knowledge out of overestimation; but that is not legally reckoned (abbohārika)."
Then the Blessed One, having given a talk on the Dhamma with reference to that origin, with reference to that occasion, addressed the bhikkhus … "And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
'Whatever bhikkhu, without direct knowledge, should claim a superhuman state (uttarimanussadhamma) pertaining to himself — knowledge (ñāṇa) and vision adequate to the noble ones — saying, "Thus I know, thus I see," and then at a later time, whether being cross-examined or not being cross-examined, having fallen [into offense] and desiring purification,³ should say thus: "Friends, not knowing I said, 'I know'; not seeing, [I said,] 'I see'; I spoke vainly, falsely, idly" — except out of overestimation — this one too is pārājika, not in communion.'"
Editorial footnotes in the Pali source: ¹ In the Yu. and M. editions the word "te" ("they") does not occur. ² Yu. and M. editions read "honti hete Ānanda." ³ A variant reading "visuddhāpekho" is also found.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.