Mahavogga 2.5

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

1. At that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus recited the Pâtimokkha according as they lived together, every one before his own companions.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'The Pâtimokkha, O Bhikkhus, is not to be recited according as (the Bhikkhus) live together, by every one before his own companions. He who recites it (in that way), commits a dukkata offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the Uposatha service is to be held by the complete fraternity.'

2. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that the Uposatha service is to be held by the complete fraternity. How far does completeness extend, as far as one residence (or one district), or all over the earth?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that completeness is to extend as far as one residence.'

3. At that time the reverend Mahâ Kappina dwelt near Râgagaha, in the deer park of Maddakukkhi. Now (one day) when the reverend Mahâ Kappina was alone and had retired into solitude, the following consideration presented itself to his mind: 'Shall I go to the Uposatha service or shall I not go? Shall I go to the functions of the Order or shall I not go? Indeed I have become pure by the highest purity (i.e. I have reached Arahatship or Nirvâna).'

4. Then the Blessed One, understanding by the power of his mind the reflection which had arisen in Mahâ Kappina's mind, disappeared from the Gigghakûta mountain and appeared in the deer park of Maddakukkhi, before the reverend Mahâ Kappina (as quickly) as a strong man might stretch his bent arm out, or draw his outstretched arm back. The Blessed One sat down on a seat laid out for him, and the reverend Mahâ Kappina, after having respectfully saluted the Blessed One, sat down also near him.

5. When the reverend Mahâ Kappina was seated near him, the Blessed One said to him: 'When you were alone, Kappina, and had retired into solitude, has not the following consideration presented itself to your mind: "Shall I go (&c., as in § 3 down to:) by the highest purity?"'

'Even so, Lord.'

'If you Brâhmanas do not honour, do not regard, do nat revere, do not pay reverence to the Uposatha, who will then honour, regard, revere, pay reverence to the Uposatha? Go to the Uposatha, O Brâhmana, do not neglect to go; go to the functions of the Order, do not neglect to go.' The reverend Mahâ Kappina promised the Blessed One to do so (by saying), 'Even so, Lord.'

6. Then, having taught, incited, animated, and gladdened the reverend Mahâ Kappina by a religious discourse, the Blessed One disappeared from the deer park of Maddakukkhi, from the presence of the reverend Mahâ Kappina, and appeared on the Gigghakûta mountain (as quickly) as a strong man might stretch his bent arm out, or draw his outstretched arm back.