Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks: “Is it true, monks, that the bad and shameless monks Assaji and Punabbasuka are staying at Kīṭāgiri and misbehaving in this way? And is it true that those people who previously had faith and confidence have now lost it, that there’s no longer any support for the Sangha, and that the good monks have left and the bad monks are staying on?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them, “It’s not suitable … How can those foolish men misbehave in this way? This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking them … he gave a teaching and addressed Sāriputta and Moggallāna: “Go to Kīṭāgiri and do a legal procedure of banishment from Kīṭāgiri against the monks Assaji and Punabbasuka. They’re your students.” “Sir, how can we do a procedure of banishment against these monks? They’re temperamental and harsh.” “Well then, take many monks.” “Yes, sir.”

“And this is how it should be done. First you should accuse the monks Assaji and Punabbasuka. They should then be reminded of what they’ve done, before they’re charged with an offense. A competent and capable monk should then inform the Sangha: ‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. These monks, Assaji and Punabbasuka, are corrupters of families and badly behaved. Their bad behavior has been seen and heard about, and the families corrupted by them have been seen and heard about. If the Sangha is ready, it should do a legal procedure of banishment from Kīṭāgiri against the monks Assaji and Punabbasuka, prohibiting them from staying at Kīṭāgiri. This is the motion.