[598] The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu:¹
"Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. These bhikkhus Mettiya and Bhummajaka charge the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta with an unfounded failure in virtue (sīlavipatti). The Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness, requests the verdict of mindfulness (sativinaya) from the Saṅgha. If it seems right to the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha grant the verdict of mindfulness to the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness. This is the motion (ñatti).
"Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. These bhikkhus Mettiya and Bhummajaka charge the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta with an unfounded failure in virtue. The Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness, requests the verdict of mindfulness from the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha grants the verdict of mindfulness to the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness. Whichever venerable one approves of the granting of the verdict of mindfulness to the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness, let him be silent; whoever does not approve, let him speak.
"A second time I speak on this matter. …
"A third time I speak on this matter. Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. These bhikkhus Mettiya and Bhummajaka charge the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta with an unfounded failure in virtue. The Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness, requests the verdict of mindfulness from the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha grants the verdict of mindfulness to the Venerable Dabba [Mallaputta], who has attained fullness of mindfulness. Whichever venerable one approves of the granting of the verdict of mindfulness to the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness, let him be silent; whoever does not approve, let him speak.
"The verdict of mindfulness has been granted by the Saṅgha to the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta, who has attained fullness of mindfulness. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it."
¹ [Editorial footnote in the Siam Raṭṭha edition, referring to the preceding passage:] The Burmese edition reads: "So I, venerable sirs, having attained fullness of mindfulness, for a third time, venerable sirs, [request of] the Saṅgha…"; the European edition reads: "So I, venerable sirs, having attained fullness of mindfulness, for a third time [request of] the Saṅgha…"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.