[164] Then the Saṅgha carried out the act of reconciliation (paṭisāraṇīyakamma) against the bhikkhu Sudhamma: "You must ask forgiveness of the householder (gahapati) Citta." Having had the act of reconciliation carried out against him by the Saṅgha, he went to Macchikāsaṇḍa, but, being abashed, he was unable to ask forgiveness of the householder Citta. He returned again to Sāvatthī.
The bhikkhus said thus: "Friend Sudhamma, has the householder Citta been asked for forgiveness by you?"
"Friends, in this matter I went to Macchikāsaṇḍa, but, being abashed, I was unable to ask forgiveness of the householder Citta."
Those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Well then, bhikkhus, let the Saṅgha give the bhikkhu Sudhamma a companion messenger (anudūta) to ask forgiveness of the householder Citta. And thus, bhikkhus, should he be given: first the bhikkhu should be asked; having asked him, a competent and capable bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha:
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. If it is the proper time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha give the bhikkhu named so-and-so as a companion messenger to the bhikkhu Sudhamma, to ask forgiveness of the householder Citta. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The Saṅgha gives the bhikkhu named so-and-so as a companion messenger to the bhikkhu Sudhamma, to ask forgiveness of the householder Citta. Any venerable one to whom the giving of the bhikkhu named so-and-so as a companion messenger to the bhikkhu Sudhamma, to ask forgiveness of the householder Citta, is agreeable — let him be silent; anyone to whom it is not agreeable should speak.
"'The bhikkhu named so-and-so has been given by the Saṅgha as a companion messenger to the bhikkhu Sudhamma, to ask forgiveness of the householder Citta. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.