[250] Now at that time several bhikkhus who were acquainted and intimate companions entered upon the rains (vassa) in a certain residence (āvāsa) in the Kosalan country. In their vicinity other bhikkhus — makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues (adhikaraṇa) in the Saṅgha — entered upon the rains, thinking, "When those bhikkhus have completed the rains, on the day of Invitation (pavāraṇā) we shall suspend their invitation." Those bhikkhus heard: "In our vicinity, it seems, other bhikkhus — makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha — have entered upon the rains, thinking, 'When those bhikkhus have completed the rains, on the day of Invitation we shall suspend their invitation.' How now should we proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Here, bhikkhus, several bhikkhus who are acquainted and intimate companions enter upon the rains in a certain residence. In their vicinity other bhikkhus — makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha — enter upon the rains, thinking, 'When those bhikkhus have completed the rains, on the day of Invitation we shall suspend their invitation.' Bhikkhus, I allow those bhikkhus to hold two or three Uposathas on the fourteenth day, thinking, 'How may we hold the Invitation before those bhikkhus?'
"If, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha come to the residence, then, bhikkhus, the resident bhikkhus should assemble very quickly and hold the Invitation. Having held the Invitation, they should say: 'Friends, we have held our Invitation; let the venerable ones do as they see fit.'
"If, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha come to that residence without prior arrangement, then, bhikkhus, the resident bhikkhus should prepare a seat, set out water for the feet, a footstool, and a foot-wiper; having gone out to meet them, they should receive their bowls and robes and offer them drinking water. Then, having diverted their attention, they should go outside the boundary (sīmā) and hold the Invitation. Having held the Invitation, they should say: 'Friends, we have held our Invitation; let the venerable ones do as they see fit.' If this can be managed, it is well; if it cannot be managed, a competent and capable resident bhikkhu should inform the resident bhikkhus: 'Let the resident venerable ones listen to me. If it is the proper time for the venerable ones, we would now perform the Uposatha and recite the Pātimokkha, and hold the Invitation in the coming dark fortnight (kāḷa).'
"If, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha should say to those bhikkhus, 'Good, friends, hold your Invitation before us right now,' they should be told: 'Friends, you are not masters over our Invitation; we shall not hold the Invitation yet.'
"If, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha should stay on through that dark fortnight, a competent and capable resident bhikkhu should inform the resident bhikkhus: 'Let the resident venerable ones listen to me. If it is the proper time for the venerable ones, we would now perform the Uposatha and recite the Pātimokkha, and hold the Invitation in the coming bright fortnight (juṇha).'
"If, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha should say to those bhikkhus, 'Good, friends, hold your Invitation before us right now,' they should be told: 'Friends, you are not masters over our Invitation; we shall not hold the Invitation yet.'
"If, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus who are makers of strife, makers of quarrels, makers of disputes, makers of contention, makers of legal issues in the Saṅgha should stay on through that bright fortnight as well, then, bhikkhus, all those bhikkhus must hold the Invitation, even unwilling, in the coming bright fortnight, on the Komudī of the fourth month.
"If, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are holding the Invitation, one who is ill suspends the invitation of one who is not ill, he should be told: 'The venerable one is ill, and one who is ill has been declared by the Blessed One unable to endure questioning. Wait, friend, until you are free of illness; when free of illness, you may then reprove him if you wish.' If, being spoken to thus, he nevertheless reproves, there is an offense of pācittiya for disrespect.
"If, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are holding the Invitation, one who is not ill suspends the invitation of one who is ill, he should be told: 'Friend, this bhikkhu is ill, and one who is ill has been declared by the Blessed One unable to endure questioning. Wait, friend, until this bhikkhu is free of illness; when he is free of illness, you may then reprove him if you wish.' If, being spoken to thus, he nevertheless reproves, there is an offense of pācittiya for disrespect.
"If, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are holding the Invitation, one who is ill suspends the invitation of one who is ill, he should be told: 'The venerable ones are ill, and one who is ill has been declared by the Blessed One unable to endure questioning. Wait, friend, until you are both free of illness; when free of illness, you may then, being free of illness, reprove one who is free of illness, if you wish.' If, being spoken to thus, he nevertheless reproves, there is an offense of pācittiya for disrespect.
"If, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are holding the Invitation, one who is not ill suspends the invitation of one who is not ill, the Saṅgha, having cross-examined and interrogated both and having had the matter dealt with according to the rule, should hold the Invitation."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.