[547] Then the Blessed One, on that account and in that connection, having had the Saṅgha of bhikkhus (bhikkhu) convened, questioned the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta: "Dabba, do you recall doing such a thing as this bhikkhunī says?"
"Venerable sir, the Blessed One knows me as I am."
A second time the Blessed One … A third time the Blessed One said this to the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta: "Dabba, do you recall doing such a thing as this bhikkhunī says?"
"Venerable sir, the Blessed One knows me as I am."
"Dabba, those named Dabba do not clear themselves in this way. If it was done by you, say 'it was done'; if it was not done by you, say 'it was not done.'"
"Venerable sir, since I was born I am not aware of having engaged in sexual intercourse even in a dream, still less while awake."
Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, bhikkhus, expel the bhikkhunī Mettiyā, and interrogate these bhikkhus." Having said this, the Blessed One rose from his seat and entered his dwelling.
Then those bhikkhus expelled the bhikkhunī Mettiyā. Then the Mettiya-Bhummajaka bhikkhus said this to those bhikkhus: "Friends, do not expel the bhikkhunī Mettiyā. She has committed no offense whatever. She was instigated by us, who were angry, displeased, and intent on making him fall away."
"But, friends, are you then charging the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta with an unfounded pārājika offense?"
"Even so, friends."
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, deplored, and spread it about: "How can the Mettiya-Bhummajaka bhikkhus charge the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta with an unfounded pārājika offense?"
Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, on that account and in that connection, having had the Saṅgha of bhikkhus convened, questioned the Mettiya-Bhummajaka bhikkhus: "Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you charged Dabba Mallaputta with an unfounded pārājika offense?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How can you, foolish men, charge Dabba Mallaputta with an unfounded pārājika offense? This, foolish men, is not for the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
"Should any bhikkhu, malicious, angry, and displeased, charge a bhikkhu with an unfounded pārājika offense, thinking, 'Perhaps thus I may make him fall away from this holy life (brahmacariya),' then afterwards, at a later time, whether he is being examined or is not being examined, if that legal issue (adhikaraṇa) proves to be unfounded and the bhikkhu acknowledges his malice, it is a saṅghādisesa."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.