Soon afterwards a sangha of monks, headed by Sāriputta and Moggallāna, went to Kīṭāgiri and did the legal procedure of banishment against the monks Assaji and Punabbasuka, prohibiting them from staying at Kīṭāgiri. Even so, they did not conduct themselves properly or suitably so as to deserve to be released, nor did they ask the monks for forgiveness. Instead they abused and reviled them, and they slandered them as acting from favoritism, ill will, confusion, and fear. And they left and they disrobed. The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can these monks act like this when the Sangha has done a legal procedure of banishment against them?” They told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks: “Is it true, monks, that the monks Assaji and Punabbasuka are acting like this?” “It’s true, sir.” The Buddha rebuked them … “It’s not suitable … How can those foolish men act like this? This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking them … he gave a teaching and addressed the monks: “Well then, don’t lift that legal procedure of banishment.”

The group of eighteen on not to be lifted