Chulavagga 10.15

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

CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR SECTION)

TENTH KHANDHAKA (ON THE DUTIES OF BHIKKHUNIS/NUNS)

Chapter-15 : Sharing of Food

1. Now at that time the people gave food to the Bhikkhus(Monks), and the Bhikkhus gave to the Bhikkhunis. The people murmured, were indignant, and complained, saying: 'How can their reverences give away to others what was given for them to have--as if we did not know how to give gifts?'

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'A Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, is not to give away to others what was given for them themselves to have. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'

Now at that time the Bhikkhus had come into the possession of some (meat for) food. They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to give it to the Sangha.'

Too much came into their possession.

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to give away that which was given to special individuals (and to keep that which had come into the possession of the Sangha as a whole).'

Now at that time food, which had been stored up for the Bhikkhus, had come into their possession.

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow food that has been stored up to be enjoyed by the Bhikkhunis after they have had it given over to them by the Bhikkhus.'

2. [The same repeated, reading Bhikkhuni for Bhikkhu, and vice versa.]