Mahavogga 4.18

Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Khandhaka >> Mahavagga >> Fourth Khandaka >> 4.18

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

1. At that time a number of Bhikkhus, companions and friends of each other, entered upon Vassa in a certain district of the Kosala country. These Bhikkhus, living in unity, and concord, and without quarrel, had found a comfortable place to dwell in. Now those Bhikkhus thought: 'Living in unity, &c., we have found a comfortable place to dwell in. If we hold Pavâranâ now, (other Bhikkhus) might come on a journey, having held their Pavâranâ, (and might occupy this place); thus we should lose this place which is comfortable to dwell in. Well, what are we to do?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

2. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a number of Bhikkhus, companions and friends of each other, have entered upon Vassa in a certain district. These Bhikkhus,. . . . (&c., § 1).

'If these Bhikkhus think: "Living in unity, . . . . (&c., § 1, down to:) thus we should lose this place which is comfortable to dwell in," I allow, O Bhikkhus, these Bhikkhus to agree upon pavâranâsamgaha.

3. 'And you ought, O Bhikkhus, to agree upon it in this way: Let them all assemble together. When they have assembled, let a leamed, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Samgha: "Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me.

Living in unity,. . . . (&c., § 1, down to:) thus we should lose this place which is comfortable to dwell in. If the Samgha is ready, let the Samgha agree upon pavâranâsamgaha; let it now hold Uposatha and recite the Pâtimokkha, and let the Samgha hold Pavâranâ on the next komudî kâtumâsinî day. This is the ñatti."

4. '"Let the Samgha, &c."

5. 'If, O Bhikkhus, after those Bhikkhus have agreed upon pavâranâsamgaha, a Bhikkhu should say: "I wish, friends, to go on my travels through the country; I have a business in the country," let them reply to him: "Good, friend, hold Pavâranâ; and go." If that Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, when holding Pavâranâ inhibits the Pavâranâ of another Bhikkhu, let (that other Bhikkhu) say to him: "You are not master of my Pavâranâ, friend; I will not hold Pavâranâ now."

'If, O Bhikkhus, when that Bhikkhu holds Pavâranâ, another Bhikkhu inhibits his Pavâranâ, let the Samgha question and examine them both and treat them according to the law.

6. 'If that Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, has finished that business in the country and comes back to that district before the clay of komudî kâtumâsinî, and if a Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, when the Bhikkhus hold Pavâranâ, inhibits the Pavâranâ of that Bhikkhu (who has been absent), let him say (to the inhibiting Bhikkhu): "You are not master of my Pavâranâ, friend; I have held my Pavâranâ."

'If, O Bhikkhus, when the Bhikkhus hold Pavâranâ, this Bhikkhu inhibits the Pavâranâ of another Bhikkhu, let the Samgha question and examine them both and treat them according to the law, and then hold Pavâranâ.'

End of the Pavâranâ-Khandhaka.