Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 156,382 words
The Mahavagga (part of the Vinaya collection) includes accounts of Gautama Buddha’s and the ten principal disciples’ awakenings, as well as rules for ordination, rules for reciting the Patimokkha during uposatha days, and various monastic procedures....
Mahavagga, Khandaka 6, Chapter 3
1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus who were sick had need of roots for medicine.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
I allow you, O Bhikkhus, the use of roots as medicine—turmeric, ginger, orris root, white orris root, ativisa, black hellebore, usīra root, bhaddamuttaka, and whatsoever other roots are used for medicine, and impart an appetising flavour to foods, either hard or soft, which the sick Bhikkhus could not otherwise eat[1]. They may be received, and stored up your life long; and, if there be necessity, they may be eaten. If eaten without necessity, (the Bhikkhu who uses them) is guilty of a dukkaṭa offence.'
2. Now at that time the Bhikkhus who were sick
had need for medicine of different sorts of flour made from roots.
They told this thing to the Blessed One. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, the use of a grind-stone, and of another stone to grind upon[2].'
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Literally, 'which impart the quality of eatableness to not eatable food, either hard or soft.'
[2]:
Compare the Sanskrit root puth. Buddhaghosa says: Pisanasilā ca pisana-poto ca. Pestle and mortar is in Pāli udukkhalaṃ musalañ ca: see below, VI, 9, 2.