11.

The Section on the (Recitation with) Five Hundred Monks

The Discussion on the Lesser and Minor Training Rules

441. In the Section on the Five Hundred - "Setting aside the four expulsions, the remaining are the lesser and minor training rules" and so forth was stated by way of exposition for the purpose of showing that, without abandoning even a single training rule, all must be upheld. "Idaṃ vo samaṇānan" means "this is for the ascetics." The word "vo" is merely a particle for completing the metre.

443. "This is a wrong-doing of yours, friend Ānanda" - this was said by the elder monks merely as a reproach, meaning "this was badly done by you," it was not said with reference to an offence. For they were not unaware of what is an offence and what is not an offence. Just now indeed this was proclaimed - "The Saṅgha does not lay down what has not been laid down, and does not abolish what has been laid down." "Confess that wrong-doing" - this too was said with reference to this: "Yes, venerable sir, it was badly done by me," thus acknowledge it; "that wrong-doing" was said with reference to this, not as a confession of an offence. But since the Elder did not ask through unmindfulness, not through disrespect, therefore, not perceiving even the nature of having been badly done therein, having said "I do not see that as a wrong-doing," and showing reverence towards the elders, he said "but out of regard for the venerable ones I confess that wrong-doing." The meaning of what was said is: "As you say, so I acknowledge." The same method applies to the remaining four cases. Whatever else here should be said, that has been stated in the Commentary on the Introduction itself.

The discussion on the lesser and minor training rules is finished.

The commentary on the Chapter on the Five Hundred is finished.