僧羯磨 3.136

3.136

At that time, the World-Honoured One was in the city of the Bhaggas (Bharga), and he told the bhikṣus: "I shall expound four great authorities (mahāprapadeśa). Listen closely, and I will explain them for you." The bhikṣus said: "Bhadanta! We wish and delight to hear them." "What are the four? If a bhikṣu speaks thus: 'Venerable ones! In such-and-such a village or city, I personally heard and received this from the Buddha; this is the Dharma, this is the vinaya, this is the Buddha's teaching.' If one hears what that bhikṣu says, one should not immediately give rise to suspicion, nor should one scold him. One should ascertain the text and phrasing, and then investigate the sūtra and vinaya, examining them against the Dharma and vinaya. If, while listening to what that bhikṣu says and investigating the sūtra and vinaya, examining them against the Dharma and vinaya, it does not correspond with the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, but goes against the Dharma, one should tell that bhikṣu: 'What you say was not spoken by the Buddha; perhaps the venerable one did not accurately grasp the Buddha's words. Why is that? When I investigate the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, it does not correspond with the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, but goes against the Dharma. Venerable one! You need not recite or practice it, nor should you teach other bhikṣus; it should now be discarded.' If, hearing what that bhikṣu says, one investigates the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, and it does correspond with the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, one should tell that bhikṣu: 'What the venerable one says was spoken by the Buddha, accurately grasping the Buddha's words. Why is that? When I investigate the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, it corresponds with them and does not go against them. Venerable one! You should properly uphold, recite, and practice it, and teach other bhikṣus, so that it is not lost and forgotten.' This is the first great authority. Furthermore, if a bhikṣu speaks thus: 'Venerable ones! In such-and-such a village or city, before the elders in a harmonious saṃgha, I heard: "This is the Dharma, this is the vinaya, this is the Buddha's teaching."' When hearing what that bhikṣu says, one should not suspect him, nor should one scold him. One should ascertain the text and phrasing, and investigate the sūtra and vinaya, examining them against the Dharma and vinaya. If, hearing what that bhikṣu says, when one investigates the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, it does not correspond with them and goes against the Dharma, one should tell that bhikṣu: 'Venerable one! This was not spoken by the Buddha; that saṃgha and the elders did not accurately grasp the Buddha's words, and the venerable one is likewise mistaken. Why is that? When I investigate the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, it does not correspond with them and goes against the Dharma. The venerable one need not recite or practice it, nor should you teach other bhikṣus; it should now be discarded.' If, hearing what that bhikṣu says, one investigates the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, and it corresponds with them and does not go against the Dharma, one should tell that bhikṣu: 'Venerable one! This was spoken by the Buddha; that saṃgha, the elders, and the venerable one have accurately grasped the Buddha's words. Why is that? When I investigate the sūtra, vinaya, and the Dharma and vinaya, it corresponds with them without going against them. Venerable one! You should properly uphold, recite, and practice it, and also teach other people, so that it is not lost and forgotten.' This is the second great authority. (The third phrase, heard from many bhikṣus who know the Dharma, vinaya, and mātṛkā, is also like this. The fourth phrase, heard from one bhikṣu who knows the Dharma, vinaya, and mātṛkā, is also like this.) These are the four great authorities." The Buddha spoke thus, and having heard it, the bhikṣus rejoiced, received it with faith and delight, and upheld it.