Bhaddālisutta

Suttapiṭaka · Majjhimanikāya · Vol. 13 · Section 162

[162] Now at that time several bhikkhus were making a robe for the Blessed One, thinking: "When his robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour." Then the Venerable Bhaddāli approached those bhikkhus; having approached, he exchanged greetings with them, and when the courteous and memorable talk was concluded, he sat down at one side. When he was seated at one side, those bhikkhus said this to the Venerable Bhaddāli: "Friend Bhaddāli, this robe is being made for the Blessed One, with the thought: 'When his robe is finished, at the end of the three months the Blessed One will set out on tour.' Come now, friend Bhaddāli, attend carefully to this matter; let it not become more difficult for you afterwards." "Yes, friends," the Venerable Bhaddāli replied to those bhikkhus, and he approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, he sat down at one side. Seated at one side, the Venerable Bhaddāli said this to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, a transgression overcame me — foolish, confused, and unskilful as I was — in that, when a training rule was being laid down by the Blessed One and the Saṅgha of bhikkhus was undertaking the training, I declared my unwillingness to comply. Venerable sir, may the Blessed One accept my transgression as a transgression, for the sake of restraint in the future."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.