[171] "Here, Bhaddāli, a certain bhikkhu gets along by a mere measure of faith (saddhā), by a mere measure of affection. In that case, Bhaddāli, it occurs to the bhikkhus thus: 'Friends, this bhikkhu gets along by a mere measure of faith, by a mere measure of affection. If we punish this bhikkhu, pressing him again and again, let not even that mere measure of faith and mere measure of affection that he has be lost to him.' Suppose, Bhaddāli, a man had only one eye; his friends and companions, his kinsmen and blood relations, would guard that one eye, thinking: 'Let him not lose even that one eye that he has.' So too, Bhaddāli, here a certain bhikkhu gets along by a mere measure of faith, by a mere measure of affection. In that case, Bhaddāli, it occurs to the bhikkhus thus: 'Friends, this bhikkhu gets along by a mere measure of faith, by a mere measure of affection. If we punish this bhikkhu, pressing him again and again, let not even that mere measure of faith and mere measure of affection that he has be lost to him.' This, Bhaddāli, is the cause, this is the reason why here they punish a certain bhikkhu, pressing him again and again; and this, Bhaddāli, is the cause, this is the reason why here they do not thus punish a certain bhikkhu, pressing him again and again."
"Venerable sir, what is the cause, what is the reason why formerly there were fewer training rules (sikkhāpada), yet more bhikkhus were established in final knowledge (aññā)? And what, venerable sir, is the cause, what is the reason why at present there are more training rules, yet fewer bhikkhus are established in final knowledge?"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.