ABSTRACT
Some insight could perhaps be gained from a passage found in the Parirvâra book the Vinaya-piþaka. In the extract discussing the rules of how legal decisions concerning debates, offences, duties etc. can and should be made in the assembly of monks, we read:
‘Is a disciplinary proceeding a disciplinary proceeding in the presence of the full assembly? [Or] is a disciplinary proceeding in the presence of the full assembly a disciplinary proceeding?… {1} A disciplinary proceeding may be (syât) a disciplinary proceeding in the presence of the full assembly [and] it may not (na syât) be a disciplinary proceeding in the presence of the full assembly. A disciplinary proceeding in the presence of the full assembly is a disciplinary proceeding as well as being a disciplinary proceeding in the presence of the full assembly. …,’ etc.449
