Tipitaka >> Vinaya Pitaka >> Mahavagga >> Second Khandaka >> 2.1
Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg
<<<< Previous(1.79) | Next(2.2) >>>>
THE MAHAVAGGA
SECOND KHANDHAKA (THE UPOSATHA CEREMONY, AND THE PATIMOKKHA.)
Chapter-1 : King Bimbisara Asks Buddha for Assembly of Bhikkus on 14th, 15th and 8th day of Each Half Month.
1. At that time the Great Buddha dwelt near Rajagaha, on the Gijjhakuta mountain ('the Vulture's Peak'). At that time the paribbajakas belonging to Titthiya schools assembled on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of each half month and recited their teaching. The people went to them in order to hear the teaching. They were filled with favour towards, and were filled with faith in, the paribbajakas(initiates) belonging to Titthiya schools; the paribbajakas belonging to Titthiya schools gained adherents.
2. Now when the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisara was alone, and had retired into solitude, the following consideration presented itself to his mind: 'The paribbajakas belonging to Titthiya schools assemble now on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of each half month and recite their teaching. The people go to them in order to hear the teaching. They are filled with favour towards, and are filled with faith in, the paribbajakas who belong to Titthiya schools; the paribbajakas who belong to Titthiya schools gain adherents. What if the reverend ones (the Buddhist Bhikkhus) were to assemble also on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of each half month.'
3. Then the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisara went to the place where the Lord Buddha was; having approached him and having respectfully saluted the Lord Buddha, he sat down near him. Sitting near him the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisara said to the Lord Buddha: 'Lord, when I was alone and had retired into solitude, the following consideration presented itself to my mind: "The paribbajakas, &c.; what if the reverend ones were to assemble also on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of each half month." Well, Lord, let the reverend ones assemble also on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of each half month.'
4. Then the Lord Buddha taught, encouraged, animated, and gladdened the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisara by dhamma discourse; and the Magadha king Seniya Bimbisara, having been taught and gladdened by the Lord Buddha by dhamma discourse, rose from his seat, respectfully saluted the Lord Buddha, passed round him with his right side towards him, and went away.
In consequence of that and on this occasion the Lord Buddha, after having delivered a dhamma discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus(Monks), that you assemble on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of each month.'
<<<< Previous(1.79) | Next(2.2) >>>>