Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga

by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 137,074 words

The Cullavagga (part of the Vinaya collection) includes accounts of the First and Second Buddhist Councils as well as the establishment of the community of Buddhist nuns. The Cullavagga also elaborates on the etiquette and duties of Bhikkhus....

Cullavagga, Khandaka 6, Chapter 15

1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus who dwelt in a certain country residence, not far from Sāvatthi, were worried by having constantly to provide sleeping accommodation for travelling Bhikkhus who came in (from country-places). And those Bhikkhus thought: '[This being so,] let us hand over all the sleeping accommodation which is the property of the Saṃgha to one (of us), and let us use it as belonging to him.' And they [did so[1]].

Then the incoming Bhikkhus said to them: 'Prepare, Sirs, sleeping accommodation for us.'

'There are no beds, Sirs, belonging to the Saṃgha. We have given them all away to one of us.'

'What, Sirs? Have you then made away with property belonging to the Saṃgha?'

'That is so, Sirs.'

The moderate Bhikkhus murmured, &c., and told this matter to the Blessed One.

'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, .as they say, that Bhikkhus make away with Saṃgha property?'

'It is true, Lord.'

2. Then the Blessed One rebuked them, &c., and said to the Bhikkhus: 'These five things, O Bhikkhus, are untransferable; and are not to be disposed of either by the Saṃgha, or by a company of two or three Bhikkhus (a Gaṇa), or by a single individual. And what are the five? A park (Ārāma), or the site for a park—this is the first untransferable thing, that cannot be disposed of by the Saṃgha, or by a Gaṇa, or by an individual. If it be disposed of, such disposal is void; and whosoever has disposed of it, is guilty of a thullaccaya. A Vihāra, or the site for a Vihāra—this is the second, &c. (as before). A bed, or a chair, or a bolster, or a -pillow—this is the third, &c. A brass vessel, or a brass jar, or a brass pot, or a brass vase, or a razor, or an axe, or a hatchet, or a hoe, or a spade—this is the fourth, &c. Creepers, or bamboos, or muñja, or babbaja grass, or common grass, or clay, or things made of wood, or crockery—this is the fifth, &c. (as before, down to) thullaccaya.'

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This is a direct infringement of the 82nd Pācittiya, which forbids property dedicated to the Saṃgha being diverted to the use of any individual.

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