[116] 5. Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Eastern Park (Pubbārāma), in the mansion of Migāra's mother. Now on that occasion, it being the Uposatha day, the Blessed One was seated surrounded by the Saṅgha of bhikkhus.
Then the Venerable Ānanda, when the night had advanced and the first watch had ended, rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, extended his joined palms in reverential salutation toward the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, the night has advanced; the first watch has ended; the Saṅgha of bhikkhus has been sitting long. Venerable sir, let the Blessed One recite the Pātimokkha to the bhikkhus." When this was said, the Blessed One remained silent.
A second time, when the night had advanced and the middle watch had ended, the Venerable Ānanda rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, extended his joined palms in reverential salutation toward the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, the night has advanced; the middle watch has ended; the Saṅgha of bhikkhus has been sitting long. Venerable sir, let the Blessed One recite the Pātimokkha to the bhikkhus." A second time the Blessed One remained silent.
A third time, when the night had advanced and the last watch had ended, when dawn had risen and the night wore its face of gladness, the Venerable Ānanda rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, extended his joined palms in reverential salutation toward the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, the night has advanced; the last watch has ended; dawn has risen and the night wears its face of gladness; the Saṅgha of bhikkhus has been sitting long. Venerable sir, let the Blessed One recite the Pātimokkha to the bhikkhus."
"Ānanda, the assembly is not pure."
Then it occurred to the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna: "To which person was the Blessed One referring when he said, 'Ānanda, the assembly is not pure'?" Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna directed his attention over the whole Saṅgha of bhikkhus, encompassing their minds with his own mind. And the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna saw that person — immoral, of evil character, of impure and suspect conduct, of concealed deeds, no ascetic though claiming to be an ascetic, not living the holy life though claiming to live the holy life, rotten within, oozing with lust, become as refuse — seated in the midst of the Saṅgha of bhikkhus. Having seen him, he rose from his seat, approached that person, and said to him: "Get up, friend. You have been seen by the Blessed One. There is no communion (saṃvāsa) for you with the bhikkhus." Then that person remained silent.
A second time the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to that person: "Get up, friend. You have been seen by the Blessed One. There is no communion for you with the bhikkhus." A second time that person remained silent.
A third time the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna said to that person: "Get up, friend. You have been seen by the Blessed One. There is no communion for you with the bhikkhus." A third time that person remained silent.
Then the Venerable Mahāmoggallāna, having taken that person by the arm and put him out beyond the gatehouse, fastened the bolt, approached the Blessed One, and said to the Blessed One: "Venerable sir, I have put that person out. The assembly is pure. Venerable sir, let the Blessed One recite the Pātimokkha to the bhikkhus."
"It is astonishing, Moggallāna, it is extraordinary, Moggallāna, that this hollow man (moghapurisa) should have waited until he was seized by the arm!"
Then the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, from now on I shall not perform the Uposatha, I shall not recite the Pātimokkha. From now on, bhikkhus, you yourselves should perform the Uposatha, you yourselves should recite the Pātimokkha. It is impossible, bhikkhus, there is no chance, that the Tathāgata should perform the Uposatha, should recite the Pātimokkha, in an impure assembly."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.