Vinaya Texts, Part I: The Pâtimokkha and the Mahâvagga I–IV — SBE Vol. 13 (trans. Rhys Davids & Oldenberg, 1881)

3. 3.

2 ‘Avasesam sutena sAvetabbam,’ i.e. it is to be proclaimed: ‘The four paraégik4 dhammé, &c., are known to the reverend brethren (literally, have been heard by the reverend brethren).’

Il, 1g, 4. UPOSATHA CEREMONY, AND PATIMOKKHA. 261

claimed: “Such and such rules are known (to the fraternity).” This is the fourth way of reciting the Patimokkha. The fifth way is (to recite it) in its full extent. These, O Bhikkhus, are the five ways of reciting the Patimokkha.’

2. At that time the Bhikkhus, considering that the Blessed One had allowed to recite the PAtimokkha abridged, always recited the PAtimokkha abridged.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘You ought not, O Bhikkhus, to recite the PAtimokkha abridged. He who does, commits a dukkaZa offence.’

3. At that time a certain residence (of Bhikkhus) in the Kosala country was menaced on the day of Uposatha by savage people. The Bhikkhus were not able to recite the PAtimokkha in its full extent.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘T allow you, O Bhikkhus, in the case of danger to recite the Patimokkha abridged.’

4. Atthat time the K/abbaggiya Bhikkhus recited the Patimokkha abridged also when there was no danger.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘ You ought not to recite the Patimokkha abridged, O Bhikkhus, if there is no danger. He who does, commits a dukkaZa offence. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, in the case of danger only to recite the Patimokkha abridged. The cases of danger are the following : danger from kings, from robbers, from fire, from water, from human beings, from non-human beings, from beasts of prey, from creeping things, danger of life, danger against chastity. I ordain, O Bhikkhus, the recitation in such cases of dangerp. 262 of the Patimokkha abridged; if there is no danger, in its full extent,’ ;

5. At that time the Azabbaggiya Bhikkhus preached the Dhamma before the Samgha without being called upon (by the Thera).

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘Let no one, O Bhikkhus, preach the Dhamma before the Samgha without being called upon. He who does, commits a dukka/Za offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the Thera is either to preach the Dhamma himself or to call upon another (Bhikkhu to do so).’

6. At that time the Kabbaggiya Bhikkhus put questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha without being appointed thereto.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘Let no one, O Bhikkhus, put questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha without being appointed thereto. He who so questions, commits a dukka/a offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that an appointed (Bhikkhu) is to put questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha. And (this Bhikkhu) is to be appointed, O Bhikkhus, in this way: One may either appoint himself, or one may appoint another person.

He who so questions, commits a dukka/a offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that an appointed (Bhikkhu) is to put questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha. And (this Bhikkhu) is to be appointed, O Bhikkhus, in this way: One may either appoint himself, or one may appoint another person.

7. ‘And how is (a Bhikkhu) to appoint himself? Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following #atti before the Samgha: “ Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. If the Samgha is ready, I will question N. N. about the Vinaya.” Thus one may appoint himself. And how is (a Bhikkhu) to appoint another person? Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following Zatti before the Samgha: “Let the Samgha, &c. If the Samgha isIl, 1g, 11. UPOSATHA CEREMONY, AND PATIMOKKHA. 263 ready, let N.N. question N.N. about the Vinaya.” Thus one may appoint another person.’

8. At that time appointed, clever Bhikkhus put questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha. The Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus conceived anger (towards those Bhikkhus), conceived discontent, and threatened them with blows.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘I prescribe you, O Bhikkhus, that even he who has been appointed shall (not) put questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha (without) having looked at the assembly and weighed (with the mind each) person (present),’

9, 10. At that time the Aabbaggiya Bhikkhus answered questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha without being appointed thereto.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘ Let no one, O Bhikkhus, answer questions about the Vinaya before the Samgha without being appointed thereto. He who does, commits a dukkaZ¢a offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that questions about the Vinaya are to be answered before the Samgha (only) by an appointed (Bhikkhu). And (this Bhikkhu) is to be appointed}, &c.’

11. At that time appointed, clever Bhikkhus answered questions about the Vinaya before the

Samgha. The KXhabbaggiya Bhikkhus?, &c.

1 See §§ 6,7. Read: ‘... I will answer the questions of N. N.
about the Vinaya.’ And,‘... let N.N. answer the questions of
N. N. about the Vinaya.’

2 See § 8. Read: ‘... shall (not) answer questions about the

Vinaya...’

p. 264

16,

1. At that time the Azabbaggiya Bhikkhus reproved for an offence a Bhikkhu who had not given them leave.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘No Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, who has not given leave, may be reproved for an offence. He who reproves (such a Bhikkhu), commits a dukka/éa offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you reprove (Bhikkhus) for an offence (only) after having asked for leave (by saying), “Give me leave, reverend brother, I wish to speak to you.”’

2. At that time clever Bhikkhus reproved the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus for an offence after having asked for leave. The Aabbaggiya Bhikkhus conceived anger (towards those Bhikkhus), conceived discontent, and threatened them with blows.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

At that time clever Bhikkhus reproved the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus for an offence after having asked for leave. The Aabbaggiya Bhikkhus conceived anger (towards those Bhikkhus), conceived discontent, and threatened them with blows.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you are (not) to reprove (a Bhikkhu) for an offence, even if he has given leave, (without) having weighed (with your mind) the person (concerned).

3. At that time the XZabbaggiya Bhikkhus, who thought: ‘Otherwise clever Bhikkhus might ask us for leave (and reprove us for an offence),’ themselves asked beforehand pure Bhikkhus who had committed no offence, for leave without object and reason.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘Let no pure Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, who have committed no offence, be asked for leave without object and reason. He who does, commits a dukka¢a offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that youp. 265 are (not) to ask for leave (without) having weighed (with your mind) the person (concerned),’

4. At that time the Aabbaggiya Bhikkhus performed an unlawful official act before the Samgha.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘Let no one, O Bhikkhus, perform unlawful acts before the Samgha. He who does, commits a dukkaZa offence.’

They performed an unlawful act nevertheless.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you should protest, if an unlawful act is being performed.’ _ §- At that time clever Bhikkhus protested at an unlawful act being performed by the Kabbaggiya Bhikkhus. The Ahabbaggiya Bhikkhus conceived anger, conceived discontent, and threatened (those Bhikkhus) with blows.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to express your opinion only (instead of protesting formally).’

They expressed their opinion in the presence of the said (Bhikkhus). The Aabbaggiya Bhikkhus conceived anger, conceived discontent, and threatened (them) with blows.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘T prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that four or five persons may protest, that two or three may express their opinion, and that one person may determine (in his mind) :. “I do not think this right.”’

6. At that time the K/abbaggiya Bhikkhus, when reciting the Patimokkha before the Samgha, intentionally recited it so that it could not be heard.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

‘Let not him who is to recite the PAatimokkha,

p. 266

O Bhikkhus, intentionally recite it so that it cannot be heard. He who does, commits a dukkaéa offence.’

7. At that time the reverend Udayi, who had a crow’s voice, had the duty to recite the Patimokkha before the Samgha. Now the reverend Udayi thought: ‘It has been prescribed by the Blessed One that he who is to recite the Patimokkha, ought to recite it so that it may be heard; but I have a crow’s voice. Well, how am I to act ?’

They told this thing to the Blessed One.