Mahavogga 2.15

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

1. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'How many ways are there of reciting the Pâtimokkha?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'There are the following five ways of reciting the Pâtimokkha: The introduction having been recited, as to the rest, it may be proclaimed: "Such and such rules are known (to the fraternity)." This is the first way of reciting the Pâtimokkha. The introduction having been recited, the four pârâgikâ dhammâ having been recited, as to the rest, it may be proclaimed: "Such and such rules are known (to the fratemity)." This is the second way of reciting the Pâtimokkha. The introduction having been recited, the four pârâgikâ dhammâ having been recited, the thirteen samghâdisesâ dhammâ having been recited,. . . the introduction having been recited, the four pârâgikâ dhammâ having been recited, the thirteen samghâdisesâ dhammâ having been recited, the two aniyatâ dhammâ having been recited, as to the rest, it may be proclaimed: "Such and such rules are known (to the fraternity)." This is the fourth way of reciting the Pâtimokkha. The fifth way is (to recite it) in its full extent. These, O Bhikkhus, are the five ways of reciting the Pâtimokkha.'

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

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'You ought not, O Bhikkhus, to recite the Pâtimokkha abridged. He who does, commits a dukkata 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 Pâtimokkha in its full extent.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, in the case of danger to recite the Pâtimokkha abridged.'

4. At that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus (ecited the Pâtimokkha abridged also when there was no danger.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'You ought not to recite the Pâtimokkha abridged, O Bhikkhus, if there is no danger. He who does, commits a dukkata offence. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, in the case of danger only to recite the Pâtimokkha 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 danger of the Pâtimokkha abridged; if there is no danger, in its full extent.'

5. At that time the Khabbaggiya 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 dukkata 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 Khabbaggiya 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 dukkata 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. I And how is (a Bhikkhu) to appoint himself? Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti 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 ñatti before the Samgha: "Let the Samgha, &c. If the Samgha is 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 Khabbaggiya 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 dukkata 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 Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus, &c.