[535] Bhikkhus, there are these three assemblies (parisā). What three? The assembly of the foremost, the divided assembly, and the harmonious assembly.
And what, bhikkhus, is the assembly of the foremost? Here, bhikkhus, in whatever assembly the elder bhikkhus are not luxurious and not lax, but have cast off the burden of backsliding (vokkamana) and take the lead in seclusion; they arouse energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized — the generation that follows after them comes to emulate their example. That generation too is not luxurious and not lax, but casts off the burden of backsliding and takes the lead in seclusion; it arouses energy for the attainment of what has not been attained, for the achievement of what has not been achieved, for the realization of what has not been realized. This, bhikkhus, is called the assembly of the foremost.
And what, bhikkhus, is the divided assembly? Here, bhikkhus, in whatever assembly the bhikkhus dwell quarrelling, brawling, fallen into dispute, stabbing one another with verbal daggers — this, bhikkhus, is called the divided assembly.
And what, bhikkhus, is the harmonious assembly? Here, bhikkhus, in whatever assembly the bhikkhus dwell in concord, mutually rejoicing, without dispute, blending like milk and water, regarding one another with eyes of affection — this, bhikkhus, is called the harmonious assembly.
Bhikkhus, at such a time as the bhikkhus dwell in concord, mutually rejoicing, without dispute, blending like milk and water, regarding one another with eyes of affection, at that time, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus generate much merit; at that time, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus dwell in a divine dwelling, that is, in the liberation of mind (cetovimutti) through altruistic joy (muditā). In one who is gladdened, rapture (pīti) is born; in one whose mind is filled with rapture, the body becomes tranquil; one whose body is tranquil experiences pleasure; in one who is happy, the mind (citta) becomes concentrated.
Just as, bhikkhus, when rain falls in thick droplets upon a mountaintop, that water, flowing down along the slope, fills the mountain clefts, gullies, and creeks; the mountain clefts, gullies, and creeks being full, fill up the small pools; the small pools being full, fill up the large pools; the large pools being full, fill up the small rivers; the small rivers being full, fill up the great rivers; the great rivers being full, fill up the ocean — even so, bhikkhus, at such a time as the bhikkhus dwell in concord, mutually rejoicing, without dispute, blending like milk and water, regarding one another with eyes of affection, at that time, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus generate much merit; at that time, bhikkhus, the bhikkhus dwell in a divine dwelling, that is, in the liberation of mind through altruistic joy. In one who is gladdened, rapture is born; in one whose mind is filled with rapture, the body becomes tranquil; one whose body is tranquil experiences pleasure; in one who is happy, the mind becomes concentrated.
These, bhikkhus, are the three assemblies.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.