Mahavogga 3.6

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

1. At that time a certain Bhikkhu was sick. He sent a messenger to the Bhikkhus (saying), 'I am sick; might the Bhikkhus come to me; I long for the Bhikkhus' coming.'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to go (even during the rainy season), if the affair for which you go can be accomplished in seven days, even if you are not sent for, and much more if you are sent for, by a person of one of the following five classes: Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunîs, sikkhamânâs, sâmaneras, and sâmanerîs. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to go, if the affair for which you go can be accomplished in seven days, even if you are not sent for, and much more if you are sent for, by a person of one of these five classes. Within seven days you ought to return.

2. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu is sick. If he sends a messenger to the Bhikkhus (saying), "I am sick; might the Bhikkhus come to me; I long for the Bhikkhus' coming," you ought to go, O Bhikkhus, if the thing can be accomplished in seven days, even if he had not sent for you, much more when he has sent (saying to yourselves): "I will try to get food for the sick, or food for the tender of the sick, or medicine for the sick, or I will ask him (questions referring to the Dhamma), or nurse him." Within seven days you ought to retum.

3. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, inward struggles have befallen a Bhikkhu. If he sends a messenger to the Bhikkhus: "Inward struggles have befallen me; might the Bhikkhus come to me; I long for the Bhikkhus' coming," you ought to go. . . . (&c., as in § 2, down to); (saying to yourselves): "I will try to appease those struggles, or cause them to be appeased (by another), or compose him by religious conversation." Within seven days you ought to retum.

4. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu in whose mind doubts of conscience have arisen sends. . . . (&c., as in § 3, down to): (saying to yourselves): "I will try to dispel those doubts, or cause them to be dispelled) or compose him by religious conversation." Within seven days you ought to return.

5. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu takes to a false doctrine. If he sends. . . . (&c., down to): (saying to yourselves): "I will discuss that false doctrine, or cause another to discuss it, or compose (that Bhikkhu) by religious conversation." Within seven days you ought to return.

6. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu is guilty of a grave offence and ought to be sentenced to parivâsa discipline. If he sends. . . . (&c., down to): (saying to yourselves): "I will take care that he may be sentenced to parivâsa discipline, or I will propose the resolution (to the assembly), or I will help to complete the quorum (required for passing the sentence of parivâsa):' Within seven days you ought to return.

7. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu ought to be sentenced to recommence penal discipline. If he sends. . . . (&c., as in § 6, down to the end of the section ).

8. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu ought to have the mânatta discipline imposed upon him. If he sends. . . . (&c.) as in § 6, down to the end of the section).

9. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhu (having duly undergone penal discipline) ought to be rehabilitated. If he sends. . . . (&c., as in § 6).

10. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, the Samgha is going to proceed against a Bhikkhu by the tagganiyakamma, or the nissaya, or the pabbâganiyakamma) or the patisâraniyakamma, or the ukkhepaniyakamma. If that Bhikkhu sends a messenger to the Bhikkhus (saying), "The Samgha is going to proceed against me; might the Bhikkhus come to me; I long for the Bhikkhus' coming," you ought to go . . . . (&c., as in § 2, down to): (saying to yourselves): "What can be done in order that the Samgha may not proceed (against that Bhikkhu) or may mitigate the proceeding?" Within seven days you ought to return.

11. 'Or the Samgha has instituted a proceeding against him, the tagganiyakamma. . . . (&c., down to):. . . . or the ukkhepaniyakamma; if he sends a messenger to the Bhikkhus: "The Samgha has instituted a proceeding against me; might the Bhikkhus come to me; I long for the Bhikkhus' coming," you ought to go. . . . (&c., as in § 3, down to): (saying to yourselves): "What can be done in order that this Bhikkhu may behave himself properly, live modestly, and aspire to get clear of his penance, and that the Samgha may revoke its sentence?" Within seven days you ought to return.

12-15. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhunî is sick, &c.

16. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhunî is guilty of a grave offence and ought to be sentenced to mânatta discipline. If she sends. . . . (as in § 3, down to):. . . . (saying to yourselves): "I will take care that she may be sentenced to mânatta discipline." Within seven days you ought to return.

17. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhunî ought to be sentenced to recommence penal discipline. . . . (&c., as in § 7).

18. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a Bhikkhunî who is to be rehabilitated. . . . (&c., as in § 9).

19. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, the Samgha is going to proceed against a Bhikkhunî by the tagganiyakamma. . . . (&c., as in § 10).

20. 'Or the Samgha has instituted a proceeding against her. . . . (&c., as in § 11).

21, 22. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a sikkhamânâ is sick. . . . (&c., see §§ 2-5).

'In case, O Bhikkhus, a sikkhamânâ has violated the precepts (in which she is trained). If she sends. . . . (&c., as in § 3, down to): (saying to yourselves): "I will take care that she may take upon herself the precepts (again)." Within seven days you ought to return.

23. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a sikkhamânâ desires to receive the upasampadâ ordination. If she sends, &c.,. . . . you ought to go (saying to yourselves): "I will take care that she may receive the upasampadâ ordination, or I will proclaim the formula (of ordination before the assembly), or I will help to complete the quorum." Within seven days you ought to return.

24, 25. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a sâmanera is sick (&c., as in §§ 2-5). . . ., a sâmanera desires to ask concerning Vassa. If he sends. . . . (saying to yourselves): "I will ask him or I will tell it to him." Within seven days you ought to return.

26. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a sâmanera who desires to receive the upasampadâ ordination (&c., see § 23).

27, 28. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a sâmanerî is sick (&c., see §§ 24-25).

29. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a sâmanerî desires to take upon herself the precepts. If she sends. . . . &c., you should go (saying to yourselves): "I will take care that she may take upon herself the precepts." Within seven days you ought to return.'