Chulavagga 12.1

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Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg

CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR PORTION)

TWELFTH KHANDHAKA (ON THE COUNCIL OF VESHALI)

Chapter-1.

1. Now at that time, a century after the death of the Lord Buddha, the Bhikkhus of Veshali, Vajjians, promulgated at Veshali the ten theses:--(1) that storing salt in a horn vessel was permissible; (2) that the midday meal might be eaten when the sun's shadow showed two finger breadths after noon; (3) that he who intends to go into the village could begin to eat again after he had once left off; (4) that a number of Bhikkhus residing within the same boundary might hold Uposatha separately; (5) that a Sangha not at unity within itself might carry out an official act, undertaking to inform Bhikkhus of it; (6) that it was permissible for a Bhikkhu to do anything adopted as a practice by his upajjhaya; (7) that curds might be eaten by one who had already finished his midday meal; (8) that it was permissible to drink unfermented toddy; (9) that a rug or mat need not be of the limited size prescribed if it had no fringe; (10) that it was permissible to receive gold and silver.

Now at that time the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, who was wandering through the Vajjian country, arrived at Veshali; and there the venerable Yasa stayed at the Mahavana, in the Kutagara Hall.

Now at that time the Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali, on Uposatha day, filled a copper pot with water and placed it in the midst of the Bhikkhu-sangha, and said to such of their Veshalian lay disciples as came there: 'Give, Sirs, to the Sangha a kahapana, or half a one, or a pada, or a masaka. It will be wanted for the Sangha, for the provision of various utensils.'

When they had thus spoken, the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, said to the lay disciples: 'Do, Sirs, nothing of the kind. The use of gold and silver is not allowed to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas. The Sakyaputtiya Samanas neither allow it to be given to them, nor take charge of it. The Sakyaputtiya Samanas are men whose gems and jewelry have been laid aside, and who are without silver and without gold.'

Though the lay disciples from Veshali had been thus addressed by the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, they gave money to the Sangha. And the Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali, at the close of the night, reserving one portion, divided that money according to the number of the Bhikkhus. And they said to the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka:

'This, friend Yasa, is your due portion of the money.'

'I have no due portion in that money. I do not allow any money to be given to me.'

2. Then the Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali said one to another: 'This brother, Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, upbraids and reviles, and renders dissatisfied believing and faithful followers. Come, let us carry out against him the Act of Reconciliation.' And they did so.

Then the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, said to them: 'It has been laid down, Sirs, by the Lord Buddha, that a companion shall be appointed to go as messenger with a Bhikkhu against whom the Act of Reconciliation has been carried out. Appoint, Sirs, a Bhikkhu, as companion messenger to me.' And the Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali deputed a Bhikkhu to that work, and gave him as a companion messenger to the venerable Yasa.

And the venerable Yasa, taking the companion Bhikkhu with him, entered into Veshali, and said to the believing laymen there:

'I am said, Sirs, to be upbraiding and reviling, and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, by that that I have said what is against the Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma, and what is against the Vinaya to be against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya to be Vinaya.

3. 'Now the Lord Buddha was once, Sirs, staying at Savatthi in the Jetavana, Anatha Pindika's pleasure-ground. And there, Sirs, the Lord Buddha exhorted the Bhikkhus, and said:

'"There are, O Bhikkhus, four obstructions of the sun and moon, by which when the sun and moon are affected, they give no heat and they give no light, and they are no longer glorious. And what are the four? They are clouds and fog and dusty smoke and Rahu, by which when the sun and the moon are affected they give neither heat nor light nor sheen. Just so, O Bhikkhus, there are four stains by which when Samanas(monks) and Brahmans(priests) are affected they give neither heat nor light nor sheen. And what are the four? There are some Samanas and Brahmans who drink strong drink, and things intoxicating, abstaining not from that. This is the first of such stains. And further, O Bhikkhus, there are some Samanas and Brahmans who practise sexual intercourse, and abstain not from that. This is the second of such stains. And further, O Bhikkhus, there are some Samanas and Brahmans who accept silver and gold, abstaining not from the use of that. This is the third of such stains. And lastly, O Bhikkhus, there are some Samanas and Brahmans who gain their livelihood by low arts, abstaining not from such means of life. This is the fourth of such stains."

'Thus spoke, Sirs, the Lord Buddha: and when the Happy One had thus spoken, the Master further said:

'"Stained by lust and malice, some Samanas(Monks) and Brahmans(Priests),

Men blinded by ignorance, praise things that seem to have delight.

Strong drink they drink and fierce, indulge in sensual acts,

Devoid of wisdom, silver and gold they take.

And by low arts some Samanas and Brahmans live.

Stains are such actions called by the Buddha of the Solar race,

Stains--by which defiled some Samanas and Brahmans,

Impure brutes and unclean, give neither heat nor light.

Covered rather by darkness, purblind, enslaved by craving lusts,

They enlarge the realm of death, and dread rebirth they gain."

'It is for upholding this opinion that I, Sirs, have been said to be upbraiding and reviling and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, in that I have said what is against the Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma; what is against the Vinaya to be against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya to be Vinaya.

4. 'And once the Lord Buddha was staying, Sirs, at Rajagaha, in the Veluvana, at the Kalandaka Nivapa. Now at that time among the royal attendants sitting together in the women's apartment in the palace, the following saying was heard: "Silver and gold is allowed to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas(monks).

The Sakyaputtiya Samanas accept it, and take it in charge." Now at that time Manikulaka, a village headman, was present. And he said to the people there: "Say not so, Sirs. Neither is silver and gold allowed to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, nor do they accept it, nor take it in charge. The Sakyaputtiya Samanas are men who have laid aside gems and jewelry, and are without silver, and without gold." And the headman, Manikulaka, succeeded in satisfying them.

'Then the headman, Manikulaka, went to the place where the Lord Buddha was and saluted him, and took his seat on one side. And he told the Lord Buddha the whole matter, and said:

'"Now am I, Lord, in maintaining as I did, one who speaks according to the word of the Lord Buddha, one who does not falsely represent the Lord Buddha, one who does not put forth minor matters in the place of the true Dhamma? And is there anything that leads to blame in such discussion, this way and that, as touching the observance of the rules of the order?"

'"Most certainly, Manikulaka, in maintaining thus you speak in accordance with my word, and do not represent me falsely, nor put forth minor matters as the true Dhamma. Nor is there any thing leading to blame in such discussions. For gold and silver is not allowed, Manikulaka, to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, nor ought they to accept it, nor take it in charge. Men who have laid aside gems and jewelry are the Sakyaputtiya Samanas,

men without silver and without gold. For to whomsoever, Manikulaka, gold and silver are allowed, to him also the five kinds of sensual pleasure are allowed. And to whomsoever these five kinds of pleasure are allowed, him you may know of a certainty to be following neither the rule of the Samanas, nor the rule of the sons of Sakya. Although, Manikulaka, I have said that he who is in need of grass may seek for grass, and he who is in need of wood may seek for wood, and he who is in need of a conveyance may seek for a conveyance, and he who is in need of a servant may seek for a servant; yet have I never said in any way whatever that gold or silver may be sought after or accepted."

'It is for maintaining this opinion that I, Sirs, have been said to be upbraiding and reviling and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, in that I have said what is against the Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma; that what is against the Vinaya is against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya is Vinaya.'

5. 'And once, Sirs, the Lord Buddha at the same place, at Rajagaha, on the occasion of the matter of Upananda, the Sakyan, distinctly laid down a precept by which gold and silver were forbidden.

'It is for maintaining this opinion that I, Sirs, have been said to be upbraiding and reviling and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, in that I have said what is against the

Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma; that what is against the Vinaya is against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya is Vinaya.'

6. When he had thus spoken, the lay brethren said to Yasa, the son of Kakandaka There is but one, Sirs, who is a Sakyaputtiya Samana, our master, Yasa, the son of Kakandaka. All the rest are no Samanas, neither Sakyaputtiyas. Let the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, dwell among us. We will exert ourselves to provide him with robes, and food, and medicine, and the necessaries for the sick.'

Then the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, having gained over the lay brethren, returned with the companion Bhikkhu(Monk) to the Arama,

7. And the Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali asked the companion Bhikkhu: 'Did Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, obtain, Sir, the forgiveness of the lay brethren?'

'Evil, Sirs, has been wrought against us. Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, and he alone has been decided to be a Sakyaputtiya Samana, and all of us neither Samanas nor Sakyaputtiyas.'

Then the Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali said: 'The venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, without being deputed by us, has proclaimed to laymen (a false doctrine). Come, let us carry out the Act of Suspension against him.' And

they assembled together with the intention of doing so.

But the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, rose up into the sky and descended at Kosambi. And he sent messengers to the Bhikkhus of the Western country, and of Avanti, and of the Southern country, saying, 'Let your reverences come! We must take in charge this legal question before what is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and what is Dhamma is put aside; before what is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and what is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Vinaya become weak.'

8. Now at that time the venerable Sambhuta Sanavasi was dwelling on the Ahoganga Hill. And there the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, went; and on his arrival he saluted the venerable Sambhuta Sanavasi, and took his seat on one side: and being so seated he said to him:

'Lord, these Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali have

put forward ten theses.' And he told him what they were, and added: 'Come now, Lord, let us take in charge this last question before what is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and what is Dhamma is put aside; before what is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and what is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Vinaya become weak.'

'Even so, Lord,' said the venerable Sambhuta Sanavasi, in assent to the venerable Yasa Kakandaka-putta.

Then about sixty Bhikkhus from the Western country, all of whom were hermits, all of whom lived only on alms, all of whom dressed only in cast-off clothes, and kept only three robes, and all of whom were Arahats, assembled together at the Ahoganga Hill. And about eighty-eight from Avanti and the Southern country, some of whom were hermits, and some of whom, lived only on alms, and some of whom dressed only in cast-off clothes, and some of whom kept only three robes, but all of whom were Arahats, met together with them on the Ahoganga Hill.

9. And the Thera Bhikkhus, consulting together, came to this conclusion: 'This legal question, now, is hard and subtle. How can we obtain such support that we may have the greater power at the decision of that?'

Now at that time the venerable Revata was dwelling at Soreyya, and he was wise in the traditions, one who had learned the Agamas (the four Nikayas), and knew by heart the Dhamma, the Vinaya, and the Matikas; intelligent, discreet, and wise, modest, conscientious, devoted to the precepts. And the Thera Bhikkhus thought that if they could gain him over to their side, they would attain their end.

And the venerable Revata, by the divine ear, clear and surpassing that of men, heard the Thera Bhikkhus as they were thus consulting together; and he thought: 'This legal question is both hard and subtle, it would not become me to hold back from that. But even now those Bhikkhus (the Vajjians) will be coming. It would be unpleasant travelling for me were I to fall in with them. Let me go on before them.'

So the venerable Revata went from Soreyya to Samkassa. And when the Thera Bhikkhus went to Soreyya, and asked: 'Where is the venerable Revata?' they said: 'He is gone to Samkassa.'

Now the venerable Revata had gone on from Samkassa to Kannakujja. And when the Thera Bhikkhus came to Samkassa, and asked: 'Where is the venerable Revata?' they said: 'He is gone on to Kannakujja.' And in the same way they followed him there, and to Udumbara, and to Aggalapura, and to Sahagati, and there they met with the venerable Revata.

10. And the venerable Sambhuta Sanavasi said to the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka:

'Friend, the brother Revata is wise in the traditions, has learnt the Agamas, knows by heart the Dhamma, the Vinaya, and the Matikas, he is intelligent, discreet, and wise, modest, conscientious, and devoted to the precepts. If we ask the venerable Revata a puzzling question, he is capable of spending the whole night on that one question. And even now the venerable Revata will call upon a Bhikkhu who is an intoner, and a pupil of his. Do you, therefore, when the Bhikkhu has concluded, go to the venerable Revata and ask him concerning these ten theses (points).'

'Even so, Sir,' said the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, in assent to the venerable Sambhuta Sanavasi.

And the venerable Revata called upon the Bhikkhu, the pupil of his, the intoner. And when the Bhikkhu had concluded, the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka, went to the venerable Revata, and saluted him, and took his seat beside him. And, so seated, he said to the venerable Revata:

'Is the horn-salt-license, Lord, allowable?'

'What, Sir, is this horn-salt-license?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, to carry about salt in a horn with the intention of putting it into food which has not been salted?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

'Is the two-inch-license, Lord, allowable?'

'What, Sir, is this two-inch-license?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, to eat the midday meal

beyond the right time, provided only that the shadow has not yet turned two inches?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

'Is the village-trip-license, Lord, allowable?'

'What, Sir, is this village-trip-license?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, for one who has once finished his meal, and refused any more, to eat food which has not been left over, on the ground that he is about to proceed into the village?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

'Is the circuit-license, Lord, allowable?'

'What, Sir, is this circuit-license?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, for a number of Bhikkhus who dwell within the same circuit, within the same boundary, to hold separate Uposathas?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

'Is the indemnity-license, Lord, allowable?'

'What, Sir, is this indemnity-license?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, for a Sangha, which is not legally constituted, to perform an official act on the ground that they will afterwards obtain the sanction of such Bhikkhus(Monks) who may subsequently arrive?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

'Is the precedent-license, Lord, allowable?'

'What, Sir, is this precedent-license?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, to do a thing on the ground that, "My preceptor (upajjhaya) has practised this; or my teacher (achariya(teacher)) has practised that?"'

'In some cases, Sir, this is allowable, and in some not.'

'Is the churn-license, Lord, allowable?'

'What, Sir, is this churn-license?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, for one who has once finished his meal, and has refused any more, to drink milk not left over from the meal, on the ground that it has left the condition of milk, and has not yet reached the condition of curds?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink toddy?'

'What, Sir, is this toddy?'

'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink spirits which have left the condition of not being spirits, and yet have not acquired intoxicating properties?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable?'

'Is a rug or mat (when it is beyond the prescribed size) lawful, Lord, because it is unfringed?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

'Is gold and silver, Lord, allowable?'

'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'

These are the ten proposals, Lord, which these Vajjian Bhikkhus of Veshali have put forth. Come, Lord, let us take this legal question in hand before that which is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and that which is Dhamma is put aside; before that which is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and that which is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those

who argue in favour of the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Vinaya become weak.'

'Even so, Sir,' said the venerable Revata, in assent to the venerable Yasa, the son of Kakandaka.

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Here ends the First Portion for Recitation.