[600] Now at that time the bhikkhu Gagga was insane, deranged in mind. While insane and deranged in mind, much that was unworthy of an ascetic had been transgressed by him, both spoken and done. The bhikkhus charged the bhikkhu Gagga with an offense (āpatti) transgressed while he was insane and deranged in mind, saying: "Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind." He said this: "I, friends, was insane, deranged in mind; while I was insane and deranged in mind, much that was unworthy of an ascetic was transgressed by me, both spoken and done. I do not remember it; it was done by me while deranged." Though he spoke to them thus, they charged him just the same: "Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind."
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … looked down upon it, criticized it, and spread it about, saying: "How can the bhikkhus charge the bhikkhu Gagga with an offense transgressed while he was insane and deranged in mind, saying: 'Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind'? He says this: 'I, friends, was insane, deranged in mind; while I was insane and deranged in mind, much that was unworthy of an ascetic was transgressed by me, both spoken and done. I do not remember it; it was done by me while deranged.' Yet though he speaks to them thus, they charge him just the same: 'Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind.'" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus …?" "It is true, Blessed One." … Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Well then, bhikkhus, let the Saṅgha grant the verdict of past insanity (amūḷhavinaya) to the bhikkhu Gagga, who is no longer insane. And thus, bhikkhus, should it be granted: That bhikkhu Gagga, bhikkhus, having approached the Saṅgha, having arranged his upper robe over one shoulder, having paid homage at the feet of the senior bhikkhus, having sat down squatting on his heels, and having raised his joined palms, should speak thus: 'Venerable sirs, I was insane, deranged in mind; while I was insane and deranged in mind, much that was unworthy of an ascetic was transgressed by me, both spoken and done. The bhikkhus charge me with an offense transgressed while I was insane and deranged in mind, saying: "Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind." I say to them: "I, friends, was insane, deranged in mind; while I was insane and deranged in mind, much that was unworthy of an ascetic was transgressed by me, both spoken and done. I do not remember it; it was done by me while deranged." Though I speak to them thus, they charge me just the same: "Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind." Venerable sirs, I, being no longer insane, request the verdict of past insanity from the Saṅgha.'
A second time it should be requested … A third time it should be requested: 'Venerable sirs, I was insane, deranged in mind; while I was insane and deranged in mind, much that was unworthy of an ascetic was transgressed by me, both spoken and done. The bhikkhus charge me with an offense transgressed while I was insane and deranged in mind, saying: "Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind." I say to them: "I, friends, was insane, deranged in mind; while I was insane and deranged in mind, much that was unworthy of an ascetic was transgressed by me, both spoken and done. I do not remember it; it was done by me while deranged." Though I speak to them thus, they charge me just the same: "Let the venerable one recall having committed an offense of such a kind." Venerable sirs, I, being no longer insane, for the third time request the verdict of past insanity from the Saṅgha.'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.