Numbered Discourses 8.87

9. Mindfulness

Turning the Bowl Upside Down

“Bhikkhus, the Saṅgha may, if it wishes, turn the bowl upside down for a lay follower on eight grounds. What eight? They try to prevent the bhikkhus from getting material possessions. They try to harm bhikkhus. They try to drive bhikkhus from a monastery. They insult and abuse bhikkhus. They divide bhikkhus against each other. They criticize the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha may, if it wishes, turn the bowl upside down for a lay follower on these eight grounds.

The Saṅgha may, if it wishes, turn the bowl upright for a lay follower on eight grounds. What eight? They don’t try to prevent the bhikkhus from getting material possessions. They don’t try to harm bhikkhus. They don’t try to drive bhikkhus from a monastery. They don’t insult and abuse bhikkhus. They don’t divide bhikkhus against each other. They don’t criticize the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha. The Saṅgha may, if it wishes, turn the bowl upright for a lay follower on these eight grounds.”