Mahavagga, Khandaka 2, Chapter 5

1. At that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus recited the Pātimokkha according as they lived together, every one before his own companions.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“The Pātimokkha, O Bhikkhus, is not to be recited according as (the Bhikkhus) live together, by every one before his own companions. He who recites it (in that way), commits a dukkaṭa offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the Uposatha service is to be held by the complete fraternity.”

2. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that the Uposatha service is to be held by the complete fraternity. How far does completeness extend, as far as one residence (or one district), or all over the earth?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that completeness is to extend as far as one residence.”

3. At that time the reverend Mahā Kappina dwelt near Rājagaha, in the deer park of Maddakucchi. Now (one day) when the reverend Mahā Kappina was alone and had retired into solitude, the following consideration presented itself to his mind: 'Shall I go to the Uposatha service or shall I not go? Shall I go to the functions of the Order or shall I not go? Indeed I have become pure by the highest purity (i.e. I have reached Arahatship or Nirvāṇa).'

4. Then the Blessed One, understanding by the power of his mind the reflection which had arisen in Mahā Kappina's mind, disappeared from the Gijjhakūṭa mountain and appeared in the deer park of Maddakucchi, before the reverend Mahā Kappina (as quickly) as a strong man might stretch his bent arm out, or draw his outstretched arm back. The Blessed One sat down on a seat laid out for him, and the reverend Mahā Kappina, after having respectfully saluted the Blessed One, sat down also near him.

5. When the reverend Mahā Kappina was seated near him, the Blessed One said to him: 'When you were alone, Kappina, and had retired into solitude, has not the following consideration presented itself to your mind: "Shall I go (&c., as in § 3 down to:) by the highest purity?"'

“Even so, Lord.”

'If you Brāhmanas do not honour, do not regard, do nat revere, do not pay reverence to the Uposatha, who will then honour, regard, revere, pay reverence to the Uposatha? Go to the Uposatha, O Brāhmana, do not neglect to go; go to the functions of the Order, do not neglect to go.' The reverend Mahā Kappina promised the Blessed One to do so (by saying), 'Even so, Lord.'

6. Then, having taught, incited, animated, and gladdened the reverend Mahā Kappina by a religious discourse, the Blessed One disappeared from the deer park of Maddakucchi, from the presence of the reverend Mahā Kappina, and appeared on the Gijjhakūṭa mountain (as quickly) as a strong man might stretch his bent arm out, or draw his outstretched arm back.