They rebuked those monks in many ways and then told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks: “Is it true, monks, that there are monks who support this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “Monks, how can those foolish men support this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling ‘That monk may have one, two, or three monks who side with him and support him, and they may say,

“Venerables, don’t correct this monk. He speaks in accordance with the Teaching and the training. And he speaks with our consent and approval. He knows about us and speaks for us, and we approve of this.” The monks should correct those monks like this: “No, venerables, this monk speaks contrary to the Teaching and the training. And don’t consent to schism in the Sangha. Stay with the Sangha, for a united Sangha—in concord, in harmony, having a joint recitation—is at ease.” If those monks continue as before, the monks should press them up to three times to make them stop. If they then stop, all is well. If they do not stop, they commit an offense entailing suspension.’”

Definitions That: that monk who is pursuing schism in the Sangha. May have monks: may have other monks. Who side with him: they have the same view, the same belief, the same persuasion as he does. Who support him: they praise him and take his side.