Roots of Quarrels (b)

Translated from the Pali by F. L. Woodward, M.A.

[1] Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One was dwelling near Sāvatthī.

Now the venerable Upāli came to see the Exalted One,
and on coming to him
saluted him
and sat down at one side.

So seated, he said this to the Exalted One:

"Pray, sir, what are the roots of quarrels?"

"Herein monks point to what is no offence as an offence,^[1]

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to an offence as no offence;

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to a trivial offence as a grievous one,

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to a grievous offence as a trivial one;

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to an offence against chastity as no offence,

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to what is no offence against chastity as an offence;

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to a partial offence as a complete offence,

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to a complete offence as a partial one;

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they point to a pardonable offence as unpardonable

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and the reverse.

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These ten, Upāli, are the roots of quarrels'