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 2, Chapter 4
1. At that time the Bhikkhus, considering that the Pātimokkha recitation had been instituted by the Blessed One, recited the Pātimokkha every day.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
“The Pātimokkha, O Bhikkhus, is not to be recited every day. He who recites it (every day), commits a dukkaṭa offence. I ordain, O Bhikkhus, to recite the Pātimokkha on the Uposatha day.”
2. At that time the Bhikkhus, considering that it had been prescribed by the Blessed One to recite the Pātimokkha on the Uposatha day, recited the Pātimokkha three times each half month, on the fourteenth, fifteenth, and eighth day of each half month.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
“The Pātimokkha, O Bhikkhus, is not to be recited three times each half month. He who recites it (tnree times), commits a dukkaṭa offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you recite the Pātimokkha once each half month, on the fourteenth or on the fifteenth day.”