The Discourse about the Great Emancipation

The Sixth Chapter for Recitation
Desiring (to do so), Ānanda, the Community after my passing away,
can abolish the minor and subsidiary training rules. 175
* * *
The highest penalty, Ānanda, after my passing away, is to be handed
out to the monk Channa.” “But what is the highest penalty, reverend
Sir?” “The monk Channa, Ānanda, may say whatever he wishes but he
is not to be spoken to or advised or instructed by the monks.” 176
* * *
Then the Gracious One addressed the monks, (saying): “It may be,
monks, that for one of the monks there is doubt or confusion about the
Buddha, or about the Teaching, or about the Community, or about the
Path, or about the practice. Ask, monks, do not be regretful later
(thinking): ‘The Teacher was face to face with us and we didn't ask the
Gracious One directly about the training.’ ” After this was said those
monks were silent.
175 Ānanda was greatly blamed at the First Council for not asking the Buddha
what the minor and subsidiary training rules were. As there was no
agreement as to the range of rules included here the decision was made at
the Council not to abolish any of them.
176 When he found out the Brahmadaṇḍa punishment had been decreed by the
Buddha before he died, Channa was humbled, and later, striving in solitude,
he became a Worthy One, at which point the penalty lapsed.
172