THE BHIKKHUS REBUKED

  IT happened that the Blessed One walked up and down in the open

air unshod. When the elders saw that the Blessed One walked unshod,

they put away their shoes and did likewise. But the novices did not

heed the example of their elders and kept their feet covered.

  Some of the brethren noticed the irreverent behavior of the

novices and told the Blessed One; and the Blessed One rebuked the

novices and said: "If the brethren, even now, while I am yet living,

show so little respect and courtesy to one another, what will they

do when I have passed away?"

  The Blessed One was filled with anxiety for the welfare of the

truth; and he continued: "Even the laymen, O bhikkhus, who move in the

world, pursuing some handicraft that they may procure them a living,

will be respectful, affectionate, and hospitable to their teachers. Do

ye, therefore, O bhikkhus, so let your light shine forth, that ye,

having left the world and devoted your entire life to religion and

to religious discipline, may observe the rules of decency, be

respectful, affectionate, and hospitable to your teachers and

superiors, or those who rank as your teachers and superiors. Your

demeanor, O bhikkhus, does not conduce to the conversion of the

unconverted and to the increase of the number of the faithful. It

serves, O bhikkhus, to repel the unconverted and to estrange them. I

exhort you to be more considerate in the future, more thoughtful and

more respectful."