[232] Now at that time a certain bhikkhu had fallen into an offence (āpatti) on the day of the Invitation (pavāraṇā). Then it occurred to that bhikkhu: "It has been laid down by the Blessed One that one who has an offence should not carry out the Invitation; and I have fallen into an offence. How, then, should I proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu has fallen into an offence on the day of the Invitation. Bhikkhus, that bhikkhu should approach one bhikkhu, arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, squat down on his heels, raise his joined palms, and say to him thus: 'Friend, I have fallen into such-and-such an offence; I confess it.' He should be asked by him: 'Do you see it?' 'Yes, I see it.' 'You should restrain yourself in the future.'
"Here again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu is in doubt about an offence on the day of the Invitation. Bhikkhus, that bhikkhu should approach one bhikkhu, arrange his upper robe over one shoulder, squat down on his heels, raise his joined palms, and say to him thus: 'Friend, I am in doubt about such-and-such an offence; when I become free from doubt, then I will make amends for that offence.' Having said this, he should carry out the Invitation; but on that account no obstacle should be made to the Invitation."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu, while carrying out the Invitation, remembered an offence. Then it occurred to that bhikkhu: "It has been laid down by the Blessed One that one who has an offence should not carry out the Invitation; and I have fallen into an offence. How, then, should I proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Here, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, while carrying out the Invitation, remembers an offence. Bhikkhus, that bhikkhu should say thus to the bhikkhu beside him: 'Friend, I have fallen into such-and-such an offence; having risen from here, I will make amends for that offence.' Having said this, he should carry out the Invitation; but on that account no obstacle should be made to the Invitation.
"Here again, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu, while carrying out the Invitation, is in doubt about an offence. Bhikkhus, that bhikkhu should say thus to the bhikkhu beside him: 'Friend, I am in doubt about such-and-such an offence; when I become free from doubt, then I will make amends for that offence.' Having said this, he should carry out the Invitation; but on that account no obstacle should be made to the Invitation."
Now at that time, in a certain residence, on the day of the Invitation, the whole Saṅgha had fallen into an offence in common (sabhāgā āpatti). Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "It has been laid down by the Blessed One that an offence in common should not be confessed, and an offence in common should not be received; and this whole Saṅgha has fallen into an offence in common. How, then, should we proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Here, bhikkhus, in a certain residence, on the day of the Invitation, the whole Saṅgha has fallen into an offence in common. Bhikkhus, those bhikkhus should at once send one bhikkhu to a neighbouring residence, saying: 'Go, friend; make amends for that offence and come back; we will make amends for that offence in your presence.' If this can be managed, well and good; if it cannot be managed, a competent and capable bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. This whole Saṅgha has fallen into an offence in common. When it sees another bhikkhu who is pure, without offence, then it will make amends for that offence in his presence.' Having said this, the Invitation should be carried out; but on that account no obstacle should be made to the Invitation.
"Here again, bhikkhus, in a certain residence, on the day of the Invitation, the whole Saṅgha is in doubt about an offence in common. A competent and capable bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. This whole Saṅgha is in doubt about an offence in common. When it becomes free from doubt, then it will make amends for that offence.' Having said this, the Invitation should be carried out; but on that account no obstacle should be made to the Invitation."
The first recitation section (bhāṇavāra) is finished.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.