The Bhikkhus Rebuked

And 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 nd 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?"



And 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"