Kāraṇḍavasuttaṃ [AN 8.10, PTS 4.169–4.172]

10.

The Discourse on Kāraṇḍava

10. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Campā on the bank of the Gaggarā pond. Now at that time monks were accusing a monk of an offence. That monk, being accused of an offence by the monks, evaded the issue with another issue, diverted the discussion outside, and manifested irritation, hate, and displeasure.

Then the Blessed One addressed the monks: "Eject this person, monks; eject this person, monks. This person should be removed, monks. What is the use to you of this outsider's son who has been purified! Here, monks, a certain person's going forward and returning, looking ahead and looking aside, bending and stretching, wearing the double robe, bowl and robes is just like that of other good monks - as long as the monks do not see his offence. But when the monks see his offence, they know him thus - 'This one is a corrupter of ascetics, chaff among ascetics, refuse among ascetics.' Having known him thus, they remove him outside. What is the reason for this? Lest he should corrupt other good monks."

"Just as, monks, in a thriving barley field there might arise a barley-corrupter, barley-chaff, barley-refuse. Its root is just like that of other good barley; its stalk is just like that of other good barley; its leaf is just like that of other good barley - as long as its ear does not appear. But when its ear appears, they know it thus - 'This is a barley-corrupter, barley-chaff, barley-refuse.' Having known it thus, they uproot it with its root and throw it outside the barley field. What is the reason for this? Lest it should corrupt other good barley.

"So too, monks, here a certain person's going forward and returning, looking ahead and looking aside, bending and stretching, wearing the double robe, bowl and robes is just like that of other good monks - as long as the monks do not see his offence. But when the monks see his offence, they know him thus - 'This one is a corrupter of ascetics, chaff among ascetics, refuse among ascetics.' Having known him thus, they remove him outside. What is the reason for this? Lest he should corrupt other good monks.

"Just as, monks, when a great heap of grain is being winnowed, therein whatever grains are firm and have substance, they form a heap on one side, but whatever grains are weak and chaff, the wind carries them away to one side. The owners, having taken a broom, sweep them away even more. What is the reason for this? 'Lest they spoil the other good grain!' So too, monks, here a certain person's going forward and returning, looking ahead and looking aside, bending and stretching, wearing the double robe, bowl and robes is just the same as that of other good monks - as long as the monks do not see his offence. But when the monks see his offence, they know him thus - 'This one is a corrupter of ascetics, chaff among ascetics, refuse among ascetics.' Having known him thus, they remove him outside. What is the reason for this? Lest he should corrupt other good monks.

"Just as, monks, a man needing a water-channel pipe, having taken a sharp axe, might enter a forest. Whatever tree he might strike with the axe handle, therein whatever trees are firm and have substance, when struck with the axe handle, they resound with a hard sound; but whatever trees are rotten inside, oozing, and have become rubbish, when struck with the axe handle, they resound with a hollow sound. He cuts it at the root, having cut it at the root he cuts it at the top, having cut it at the top he thoroughly cleans the inside, having thoroughly cleaned the inside he fits it as a water-channel pipe. So too, monks, here a certain person's going forward and returning, looking ahead and looking aside, bending and stretching, wearing the double robe, bowl and robes is just the same as that of other good monks - as long as the monks do not see his offence. But when the monks see his offence, they know him thus - 'This one is a corrupter of ascetics, chaff among ascetics, refuse among ascetics.' Having known him thus, they remove him outside. What is the reason for this? 'Lest he spoil the other good monks.'"