Early Monastic Buddhism v2.c38.s8.3

v2.c38.s8.3

There is a rule in the Pātimokkha (Pācittiya no. 4) that to an uninitiated the dhamma is not to be preached syllable by syllable. The upāsakas were advised to avoid reading Suttantas.² It is however clear that the householders were as far as possible kept away from the deeper teachings, lest they should be frightened away from taking interest in the religion. But again, we find Nandamātā upāsikā reciting the Pārāyaṇa at dawn³ and Sāriputta explaining to Hāliddikāni gahapati the verses of the Aṭṭhakavagga.⁴