[691] Might a legal issue arising from an offense (āpattādhikaraṇa), without recourse to one means of settlement (samatha), namely acting upon acknowledgment (paṭiññātakaraṇa), be settled by two means of settlement: by resolution in the presence of (sammukhāvinaya) and by covering over as with grass (tiṇavatthāraka)? It should be said: it might. In what way?
Bhikkhus, here, while bhikkhus have taken to quarreling, taken to contention, and fallen into dispute, much that is unworthy of an ascetic has been transgressed — uttered in speech and attempted in body. If, bhikkhus, it occurs to those bhikkhus: "While we have taken to quarreling, taken to contention, and fallen into dispute, much that is unworthy of an ascetic has been transgressed — uttered in speech and attempted in body. If we charge one another with these offenses (āpatti), that legal issue might conduce to harshness, to ferocity, to schism" — bhikkhus, I allow a legal issue of such a kind to be settled by covering over as with grass.
And thus, bhikkhus, should it be settled. All should assemble together in one place. Having assembled, a competent and capable bhikkhu should inform the Saṅgha: "Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. While we have taken to quarreling, taken to contention, and fallen into dispute, much that is unworthy of an ascetic has been transgressed — uttered in speech and attempted in body. If we charge one another with these offenses, that legal issue might conduce to harshness, to ferocity, to schism. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha settle this legal issue by covering over as with grass — except for grave faults, and except for what is connected with householders."
Among the bhikkhus belonging to one side, a competent and capable bhikkhu should inform his own party: "Let the venerable ones listen to me. While we have taken to quarreling, taken to contention, and fallen into dispute, much that is unworthy of an ascetic has been transgressed — uttered in speech and attempted in body. If we charge one another with these offenses, that legal issue might conduce to harshness, to ferocity, to schism. If it is the right time for the venerable ones, I would confess in the midst of the Saṅgha, by covering over as with grass, both the offenses of the venerable ones and my own offenses — for the benefit of the venerable ones and for my own benefit — except for grave faults, and except for what is connected with householders."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.