Mahavagga 8.20

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

MAHAVAGGA

EIGHTH KHANDHAKA (THE DRESS OF THE BHIKKHUS)

Chapter-20.

1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus were fully provided with the three robes, but they had need of water-strainers and of bags (to carry their bowls and other things in).

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, pieces of cloth requisite (for those purposes).'

2. Then it occurred to the Bhikkhus: 'The things allowed by the Lord Buddha--the three robes, and the robes for the rainy season, and the mat, and the bed-covering, and the cloth to cover boils &c. with, and to wipe the face with, and required (for water-strainers and bags)--are all these things things which ought to be kept to ourselves, or things which ought to be handed over (from time to time by one Bhikkhu to another)?'

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to keep in hand the three robes, and not to assign them--to keep to yourselves the robes for the rainy season during the four months of the rains, but beyond that time to hand them over--to keep to yourselves the mats and the bed coverings, and not to hand them over--to keep to yourselves the coverings for the itch &c. while the disease lasts, but beyond that time to hand them over--to keep to yourselves the cloths to wipe the face with, and those required for water-strainers and bags, and not to hand them over.'