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 7
1. At that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus, considering that fixing of boundaries had been prescribed by the Blessed One, fixed boundaries of excessive extension, of four yojanas, five yojanas, six yojanas. The Bhikkhus who came to the Uposatha, arrived when the Pātimokkha was being recited, or when it had just been recited, or they were obliged to stay the night on the way.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, determine a boundary of excessive extension, of four, five, or six yojanas. He who determines (such a boundary), commits a dukkaṭa offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you determine boundaries of three yojanas' extent at most.
2. At that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus determined a boundary which extended to the opposite side of a river. The Bhikkhus who came to the Uposatha, were carried down (by the river), and their alms-bowls and robes were carried away.
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
“Let no one, O Bhikkhus, determine a boundary which extends to the opposite side of a river. He who determines (such a boundary), commits a dukkaṭa offence. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, if there is a regular communication by a ferry boat or a dike, at such places to determine a boundary which extends also to the opposite side of the river.”