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 8, Chapter 19

1. Now at that time Roja the Malla was a friend of the venerable Ānanda's[1]. And a linen cloth belonging to Roja the Malla had been deposited in the keeping of the venerable Ānanda; and the venerable Ānanda had need of a linen cloth.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to take a thing on trust (that it would be given to you) when it belongs to a person possessed of these five qualifications—he must be an intimate and familiar friend who has been spoken to (about it)[2] and is alive, (and the Bhikkhu taking the thing) must know "He will remain pleased with me after I have taken it." I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to take a thing on trust (that it would be given to you)[3] when it belongs to a person possessed of these five qualifications.'

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

He is also mentioned as such in Mahāvagga VI, 36.

[2]:

Buddhaghosa says, Ālapito ti mama santakaṃ gaṇhāhi yaṃ iccheyyāsīti evaṃ vutto.

[3]:

Vissāsaṃ gahetuṃ, on which phrase compare vissāsā gaṇhāti in chapter 31, below, where the context leaves no doubt as to its meaning.

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