Mahavogga 3.13

Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Khandhaka >> Mahavagga >> Third Khandaka >> 3.13

Translated from the Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg

1. At that time the Samgha at Sâvatthi had made an agreement that nobody should receive the pabbaggâ ordination during the rainy season. A grandson of Visâkhâ Migâramâtâ went to the Bhikkhus and asked them for the pabbaggâ ordination. The Bhikkhus said to him: 'The Samgha, friend, has made an agreement that nobody shall receive the pabbaggâ ordination during the rainy season. Wait, friend, as long as the Bhikkhus keep Vassa; when they have concluded the Vassa residence, they will confer on you the pabbaggâ ordination.

When those Bhikkhus had concluded the Vassa residence, they said to the grandson of Visâkhâ Migâramâtâ: 'Come now, friend, you may receive the pabbaggâ ordination.' He replied: 'If I had received the pabbaggâ ordination before, reverend Sirs, I should remain (in the religious life), but now, reverend Sirs, I will not receive the pabbaggâ ordination.'

2. Visâkhâ Migâramâtâ was annoyed, murmured, and became angry (saying), 'How can the noble ones make such an agreement. that nobody shall receive the pabbaggâ ordination during the rainy season? At what time ought the duties of the Dhamma not to be performed?'

Some Bhikkhus heard Visâkhâ Migâramâtâ, who was annoyed, murmured, and had become angry.

Those Bhikkhus told the thing to the Blessed One. 'Such an agreement, O Bhikkhus, ought not to be made--that nobody shall receive the pabbaggâ ordination during the rainy season. He who makes (an agreement like this), commits a dukkata offence.'