[585] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus carried out formal acts (kamma) against bhikkhus who were not present — an act of censure (tajjanīya), an act of demotion (niyassa), an act of banishment (pabbājanīya), an act of reconciliation (paṭisāraṇīya), and an act of suspension (ukkhepanīya). Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can the group-of-six bhikkhus carry out formal acts against bhikkhus who are not present — an act of censure, an act of demotion, an act of banishment, an act of reconciliation, and an act of suspension?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. … "Is it true, bhikkhus, as they say, that the group-of-six bhikkhus carry out formal acts against bhikkhus who are not present — an act of censure, an act of demotion, an act of banishment, an act of reconciliation, and an act of suspension?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "Bhikkhus, it is unbecoming of those foolish men, unsuitable, improper, unworthy of an ascetic, not allowable, not to be done. How indeed, bhikkhus, can those foolish men carry out formal acts against bhikkhus who are not present — an act of censure, an act of demotion, an act of banishment, an act of reconciliation, and an act of suspension? This, bhikkhus, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, a formal act is not to be carried out against bhikkhus who are not present — whether an act of censure, an act of demotion, an act of banishment, an act of reconciliation, or an act of suspension. Whoever should carry one out commits an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa)."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.