Chulavagga 11.1

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

CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR PORTION)

ELEVENTH KHANDHAKA (ON THE COUNCIL OF RAJAGAHA)

Chapter-1.

1. Now the venerable Maha Kassapa addressed the Bhikkhus, and said: 'Once I was travelling along the road from Pava to Kusinara with a great company of the Bhikkhus, with about five hundred Bhikkhus. And I left the high road and sat myself down at the foot of a certain tree.

'Just at that time a certain naked ascetic (aJivaka), who had picked up a Mandarava flower in Kusinara, was coming along the road towards Pava. And I saw him coming in the distance, and on seeing I said to him:

'"O, friend! surely you knowest our Master?"

'"Yea, friend, I know him. This day the Samana Gotama(Buddha) has been dead a week. That is how I obtained this Mandarava flower."'

'Then, Sirs, of those of the Bhikkhus who were not yet free from their passions, some stretched out

their arms and wept; and some fell headlong on the ground; and some reeled to and fro in anguish at the thought: "Too soon has the Lord Buddha died! Too soon has the Happy One passed away! Too soon has the Light gone out in the world!"'

'But those of the Bhikkhus who were free from the passions (the Arahats) bore their grief, collected and composed at the thought: "Impermanent are all component things. How is it possible [that they should not be dissolved]?"

'Then I, Sirs, spoke thus to the Bhikkhus: "Enough, Sirs! Weep not, neither lament! Has not the Lord Buddha already declared to us that it is the very nature of all things near and dear unto us that we must divide ourselves from them, leave them, sever ourselves from them? How then, Sirs, can this be possible--that whereas anything whatever born, brought into being and organised, contains within itself the inherent necessity of dissolution--how then can this be possible that such a being should not be dissolved? No such condition can exist!"

'Then at that time, Sirs, one Subhadda, who had gone out from the world in his old age, was seated there in the company of Bhikkhus. And Subhadda, the late-received one, said to the Bhikkhus: "Enough, Sirs! Weep not, neither lament! We are well rid of the great Samana(Buddha). We used to be annoyed by being told, 'This beseems you, this beseems you not.' But now we shall be able to do whatever we like; and what we do not like, that we shall not have to do."

'Come, Sirs, let us chant together the Dhamma and the Vinaya 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 hold to the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who hold to the Vinaya become weak!'

2. 'Let then the venerable Thera choose out Bhikkhus.'

Then the venerable Maha Kassapa chose out five hundred Arahats less one. And the Bhikkhus said to the venerable Maha Kassapa: 'Lord, this venerable one, Ananda, although he have not yet attained [to Nirvana], yet is he incapable of falling into error through partiality, or malice, or stupidity, or fear, and thoroughly have the Dhamma and the Vinaya been learnt by him from the Lord Buddha himself. Therefore let our Lord choose the venerable Ananda. And the venerable Maha Kassapa chose also the venerable Ananda.'

3. Then it occurred to the Thera Bhikkhus: 'In what place shall we now chant over together the Dhamma and the Vinaya?' And it occurred to the Thera Bhikkhus: 'In Rajagaha is alms plentiful, and there is abundance of lodging-places. What, now, if we were to spend the rainy season at Rajagaha, and chant the Dhamma and the Vinaya together there: and if no other Bhikkhus were to go up to Rajagaha for the rainy season?'

4. Then the venerable Maha Kassapa laid the

resolution before the Sangha: 'Let the venerable Sangha hear me. If the time seems meet to the Sangha, let the Sangha appoint that these five hundred Bhikkhus take up their residence during the rainy season at Rajagaha, to chant over together the Dhamma and the Vinaya, and that no other Bhikkhus go up to Rajagaha for the rainy season. This is the resolution. Let the venerable Sangha hear. The Sangha appoints accordingly. Whosoever of the venerable ones approves of that, let him keep silence. Whosoever approves not of that, let him speak. The Sangha has appointed accordingly. Therefore is it silent. Thus do I understand.'

5. So the Thera Bhikkhus went up to Rajagaha to chant over together the Dhamma and the Vinaya. And the Thera Bhikkhus thought: 'The Lord Buddha has spoken in praise of the repair of dilapidations. Let us, then, during the first month of the rainy season repair such dilapidations, and during the middle month let us chant over the Dhamma and the Vinaya together.' And during the first month they repaired dilapidation.

6. And the venerable Ananda--thinking, 'To-morrow is the assembly, now it beseems me not to go into the assembly while I am still only on the way (towards Arahatship)'--spent the whole night with mind alert. And at the close of the night, intending to lie dawn, he inclined his body, but before his head reached the pillow, and while his feet were still far from the ground, in the interval he became

free from attachment to the world, and his heart was emancipated from the Asavas (that is to say, from sensuality, individuality, delusion, and ignorance).

7. And the venerable Maha Kassapa laid the resolution before the Sangha: 'If the time seem meet to the Sangha, I will question Upali concerning the Vinaya.' And the venerable Upali laid a resolution before the Sangha: 'Let the venerable Sangha hear me. If the time seems meet to the Sangha, I, when questioned by the venerable Maha Kassapa, will give reply.'

Then the venerable Maha Kassapa said to the venerable Upali: 'Venerable Upali, where was the first Parajika promulgated?'

'In Veshali, Sir.'

'Concerning whom was it spoken?'

'Concerning Sudinna, the son of Kalanda.'

'In regard to what matter?'

'Sexual intercourse.'

Thus did the venerable Maha Kassapa question the venerable Upali as to the matter, as to the occasion, as to the individual concerned, as to the (principal) rule, as to the sub-rule, as to who would be guilty, and as to who would be innocent, of the first Parajika.

'Again, venerable Upali, where was the second Parajika promulgated?'

'At Rajagaha, Sir.'

'Concerning whom was it spoken?'

'Dhaniya, the potter's son.'

'In regard to what matter?'

'The taking of that which had not been given.'

Thus did the venerable Maha Kassapa question the venerable Upali as to the matter, and as to the occasion, and as to the individual concerned, and as to the (principal) rule, and as to the sub-rule, and as to who would be guilty, and as to who would be innocent of the second Parajika.

'Again, venerable Upali, where was the third Parajika promulgated?'

'At Veshali, Sir.'

'Concerning whom was it spoken?'

'A number of Bhikkhus.'

'In regard to what matter?'

'Human beings.'

Thus did the venerable Maha Kassapa question the venerable Upali as to [all the particulars, as before] of the third Parajika.

'Again, venerable Upali, where was the fourth Parajika promulgated?'

'At Veshali, Sir.'

'Concerning whom was it spoken?'

'The Bhikkhus dwelling on the banks of the Vaggumuda river.'

'In regard to what matter?'

'Superhuman conditions.'

Thus did the venerable Maha Kassapa question the venerable Upali as to [all the particulars, as before] of the fourth Parajika. And in like manner did he question him through both the Vinayas; and as he was successively asked, so did Upali make reply.

8. Then the venerable Maha Kassapa laid a resolution before the Sangha: 'Let the venerable Sangha hear me. If the time seems meet to the Sangha, I would question Ananda concerning the Dhamma.'

And the venerable Ananda laid a resolution before the Sangha: 'Let the venerable Sangha hear me. If the time seems meet to the Sangha, I, as questioned by the venerable Maha Kassapa, will give reply.'

And the venerable Maha Kassapa said to the venerable Ananda: 'Where, venerable Ananda, was the Brahmagala spoken?'

'On the way, Sir, between Rajagaha and Nalanda, at the royal rest-house at Ambalatthika.'

'Concerning whom was it spoken?'

'Suppiya, the wandering ascetic, and Brahmadatta, the young Brahman.'

Thus did the venerable Maha Kassapa question

the venerable Ananda as to the occasion of the Brahmagala, and as to the individuals concerning whom it was spoken.

'And again, venerable Ananda, where was the Samanna-phala spoken?'

'At Rajagaha, Sir; in Jivaka's Mango Grove.'

'And with whom was it spoken?'

'With Ajatasattu, the son of the Vedehi.'

Thus did the venerable Maha Kassapa question the venerable Ananda as to the occasion of the Samanna-phala, and as to the individual concerned. And in like manner did he question him through the five Nikayas, and as he was successively asked, so did Ananda make reply.

9. Then the venerable Ananda spoke thus to the Thera Bhikkhus: 'The Lord Buddha, Sirs, at the time of his passing away, spoke thus to me "When I am gone, Ananda, let the Sangha, if it should so wish, revoke all the lesser and minor precepts."'

'Did you then, venerable Ananda, ask the Lord Buddha which were the lesser and minor precepts?'

'No, Sirs.'

Some Theras then said that all the rules save the four Parajikas; others that all save those and the thirteen Sanghadisesas; others that all save those and the two Aniyatas; others that all save those and the thirty Nissaggiyas; others that all save those and the ninety-two Pachittiyas; others that all save those and the four Patidesaniyas were lesser and minor precepts.

Then the venerable Maha Kassapa laid a resolution before the Sangha: 'Let the venerable Sangha hear me. There are certain of our precepts which relate to matters in which the laity are concerned. Now the laity know of us that "such and such things are proper for you Samanas(monks) who are Sakyaputtiyas, and such and such things are not." If we were to revoke the lesser and minor precepts, it will be said to us: "A set of precepts was laid down for his disciples by the Samana Gotama(Buddha) to endure until the smoke should rise from his funeral pyre. So long as their teacher remained with these men, so long did they train themselves in the precepts. Since their teacher has passed away from them, no longer do they now train themselves in the precepts.'

'If the time seems meet to the Sangha, not ordaining what has not been ordained, and not revoking what has been ordained, let it take upon itself and ever direct itself in the precepts according as they have been laid down. This is the resolution.

'Let the venerable Sangha hear me. [These things being so] the Sangha takes upon itself the precepts according as they have been laid down. Whosoever of the venerable ones approves of that, let him keep silence. Whosoever approves not of that, let him speak. The Sangha has taken upon itself the precepts according as they were laid down. Therefore does it keep silence. Thus do I understand.'

10. Now the Thera Bhikkhus said to the venerable Ananda: 'That was ill done by you, friend Ananda, in that you did not ask the Lord Buddha which were the lesser and minor precepts. Confess your fault.'

'Through forgetfulness was it, Sirs, that I did not ask that of the Lord Buddha. I see no fault in that. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault.'

'This also, friend Ananda, was ill done by you, in that you steppedst upon the Lord Buddha's rainy-season garment to sew it. Confess your fault.'

'It was not, Sirs, through any want of respect to the Lord Buddha that I did so. I see no fault in that. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault.'

'This also, friend Ananda, was ill done by you, in that you causedst the body of the Lord Buddha to be saluted by women first, so that by their weeping the body of the Lord Buddha was defiled by tears. Confess that fault.'

'I did so, Sirs, with the intention that they should not be kept beyond due time. I see no fault in that. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault.'

'This too, friend Ananda, was ill done by you, in that even when a suggestion so evident and a hint so clear were given you by the Lord Buddha, you did not beseech him, saying, "Let the Lord Buddha remain on for a kalpa! Let the Happy One remain on for a kalpa for the good and happiness of the

great multitudes, out of pity for the world, for the good and the gain and the weal of gods and men!" Confess that fault.'

'I was possessed (by the Evil One), friends, when I refrained from so beseeching him. I see no fault in that. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault.'

'This also, friend Ananda, was ill done by you, in that you exert yourself to procure admission for women into the Dhamma and Vinaya proclaimed by the Tathagata(Buddha). Confess that fault.'

'That did I do, friends, thinking of Maha Pajapati the Gotami, the sister of the Lord Buddha's mother; his nurse and comforter, who gave him milk; how she, when she who had borne him was dead, herself suckled him as with mother's milk. I see no fault in that. Nevertheless, out of my faith in you, I confess that as a fault.'

11. Now at that time the venerable Purana was wandering through the Southern Hills with a great company of Bhikkhus, with five hundred Bhikkhus. And when the Thera Bhikkhus had completed the chanting over together of the Dhamma and the Vinaya, he, having stayed in the Southern Hills as long as he thought fit, went on to Rajagaha to the Veluvana, to the Kalandaka Nivapa, where the Thera Bhikkhus were, and having greeted the Thera Bhikkhus, he took his seat on one side.

When he was so seated, the Thera Bhikkhus said to him:

'The Dhamma and the Vinaya, friend Purana, have been chanted over together by the Thera Bhikkhus. Do you, then, submit yourself to and learn the text so rehearsed by them.'

'The Dhamma and the Vinaya, Sirs, have been well sung by the Theras. Nevertheless, even in such manner as it has been heard by me, and received by me from the very mouth of the Lord Buddha, in that manner will I bear it in my memory.'

12. Now the venerable Ananda said to the Thera Bhikkhus: 'The Lord Buddha, Sirs, said to me at the time of his death: "Let then the Sangha, Ananda, when I am dead, impose the higher penalty on Channa the Bhikkhu."

'Did you then, friend Ananda, ask the Lord Buddha what the higher penalty was?'

'I did, Sirs, (and the reply was): 'Let Channa the Bhikkhu, Ananda, say whatever he may wish; but the Bhikkhus should neither speak to him, nor exhort him, nor admonish him."'

'Do you, then, friend Ananda, let Channa the Bhikkhu(Monk) know that the higher penalty has been imposed upon him.'

'How can I, Sirs, do so? Passionate is that Bhikkhu, and rough.'

'Go then, friend Ananda, in company with a number of other Bhikkhus.'

'Even so, Sirs,' said Ananda, in assent to the Thera Bhikkhus. And he took with him a number

of Bhikkhus, to wit, five hundred Bhikkhus, and embarked on a boat going up stream, and disembarked at Kosambi, and not far from king Udena's park he took his seat at the foot of a certain tree.

13. Now at that time king Udena was enjoying himself in the park together with the ladies of his palace. And the ladies heard that their teacher, the venerable Ananda, was seated at the foot of a tree not far from the park. And they said to king Udena:

'They say that our teacher, the venerable Ananda, is seated at the foot of a tree not far from the park. We desire, Lord, to go and see him.'

'Go, then, and see the Samana Ananda.' And they went and saluted the venerable Ananda, and took their seats on one side. And he. instructed, and roused, and encouraged, and gladdened them with dhamma discourse. And when that discourse was concluded, they presented the venerable Ananda with five hundred robes, and exalted and thanked him for his discourse, and arose from their seats, and saluted him, and keeping him on their right sides as they passed him, they departed from there.

14. And king Udena saw the ladies coming from the distance. And on seeing them he said to them:

'Well, did you succeed in seeing the Samana Ananda?'

'We saw him, Sire.'

'Did you present the Samana Ananda with any gift?'

'We gave, Sire, to the venerable Ananda five hundred robes.'

Then king Udena was indignant and annoyed, and became angry, saying:

'How can the Samana Ananda accept so many robes? Would he set up as a hawker in cloths, or would he open a shop?'

And king Udena went to where the venerable Ananda was, and after exchanging with him the greetings and compliments of friendship and civility, sat down by his side. And when he was so seated, he said to him:

'Did our ladies come here, Ananda?'

'Yes, great king.'

'Did they give anything to your reverence?'

'They gave me, great king, five hundred robes.'

'And what does your reverence intend to do with those five hundred robes?'

I shall divide them, great king, among those of the Bhikkhus(Monks) whose robes are worn out.'

'And what do you intend, Ananda, to do with the worn-out robes?'

'Of those, great king, we shall make counterpanes.'

'And what do you intend to do, Ananda, with the old counterpanes?'

'Of those, great king, we shall make bolster cases.'

'And what do you intend to do, Ananda, with the old bolster cases?'

'Of those, great king, we shall make carpets.'

'And what do you intend to do, Ananda, with the old carpets?'

'Of those, great king, we shall make towels for the washing of the feet.'

'And what do you intend to do, Ananda, with the old towels?'

'Of those, great king, we shall make dusters.'

'And what do you intend to do, Ananda, with the old dusters?'

'Those, great king, we shall tear in shreds, and beat up with mud, and use them for making flooring of clay.'

Then king Udena thought: 'These Sakyaputtiya Samanas make good use of everything in a conscientious way, and take nothing as one man's peculiar property.' And he presented other five hundred pieces of cloth to the venerable Ananda.

15. But Ananda went on to the Ghosita Arama(Monastery), and sat down then on the seat spread out for him. And the venerable Channa went to the place where he was and saluted him, and took his seat beside him. And when he was so seated, Ananda said to him

'The Sangha, friend Channa, has imposed upon you the higher penalty.'

'What then, friend Ananda, is the higher penalty?'

'You, friend Channa, may say to the Bhikkhus whatever you wish; but the Bhikkhus are neither to speak to you, nor exhort you, nor admonish you.'

'Shall I not be even a slain man, friend Ananda, so long as I am neither spoken to, nor exhorted, nor admonished by the Bhikkhus?' said Channa, and he fainted and fell.

Then the venerable Channa, pained, grieved, and seized with, remorse through the higher penalty, remained alone and separate, earnest, zealous, and resolved. And before long he attained to that supreme goal of the higher life for the sake of which men even of good family go out from all and every household gain and comfort to become houseless wanderers--yea, that supreme goal did he, by himself, and while yet in this visible world, bring himself to the knowledge of, and continue to realise, and to see face to face! And he became conscious that rebirth was at an end for him, that the higher life had been fulfilled, that all that should be done had been accomplished, and that, after this present life, there would be no beyond!

So the venerable Channa became yet another among the Arahats. And after he had attained to Arahatship, the venerable Channa went to the venerable Ananda, and said:

'Remove from me now, friend Ananda, the higher penalty.'

'From the moment, friend Channa, that you had realised Arahatship, from that moment was the higher penalty removed from you.'

16. Now whereas five hundred Bhikkhus, without one failing, without one more, took part in this recitation of the Vinaya, therefore is that recitation of the Vinaya called 'that of the five hundred.'

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Here ends the Eleventh Khandhaka, on the recitation by the Five Hundred.