Mahavagga, Khandaka 2, Chapter 15

1. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'How many ways are there of reciting the Pātimokkha?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“There are the following five ways of reciting the Pātimokkha: The introduction^[1] having been recited, as to the rest, it may be proclaimed: "Such and such rules are known (to the fraternity^[2])." This is the first way of reciting the Pātimokkha. The introduction having been recited, the four pārājikā dhammā having been recited, as to the rest, it may be proclaimed: "Such and such rules are known (to the fratemity)." This is the second way of reciting the Pātimokkha. The introduction having been recited, the four pārājikā dhammā having been recited, the thirteen saṃghādisesā dhammā having been recited, . . . the introduction having been recited, the four pārājikā dhammā having been recited, the thirteen saṃghādisesā dhammā having been recited, the two aniyatā dhammā having been recited, as to the rest, it may be proclaimed: "Such and such rules are known (to the fraternity)." This is the fourth way of reciting the Pātimokkha. The fifth way is (to recite it) in its full extent. These, O Bhikkhus, are the five ways of reciting the Pātimokkha.”

2. At that time the Bhikkhus, considering that the Blessed One had allowed to recite the Pātimokkha abridged, always recited the Pātimokkha abridged.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“You ought not, O Bhikkhus, to recite the Pātimokkha abridged. He who does, commits a dukkaṭa offence.”

3. At that time a certain residence (of Bhikkhus) in the Kosala country was menaced on the day of Uposatha by savage people. The Bhikkhus were not able to recite the Pātimokkha in its full extent.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I allow you, O Bhikkhus, in the case of danger to recite the Pātimokkha abridged.”

4. At that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus (ecited the Pātimokkha abridged also when there was no danger .

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“You ought not to recite the Pātimokkha abridged, O Bhikkhus, if there is no danger. He who does, commits a dukkaṭa offence. I allow you, O Bhikkhus, in the case of danger only to recite the Pātimokkha abridged. The cases of danger are the following: danger from kings, from robbers, from fire, from water, from human beings, from non-human beings, from beasts of prey, from creeping things, danger of life, danger against chastity. I ordain, O Bhikkhus, the recitation in such cases of danger of the Pātimokkha abridged; if there is no danger, in its full extent.”

5. At that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus preached the Dhamma before the Saṃgha without being called upon (by the Thera).

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“Let no one, O Bhikkhus, preach the Dhamma before the Saṃgha without being called upon. He who does, commits a dukkaṭa offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the Thera is either to preach the Dhamma himself or to call upon another (Bhikkhu to do so).”

6. At that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus put questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha without being appointed thereto.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“Let no one, O Bhikkhus, put questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha without being appointed thereto. He who so questions, commits a dukkaṭa offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that an appointed (Bhikkhu) is to put questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha. And (this Bhikkhu) is to be appointed, O Bhikkhus, in this way: One may either appoint himself, or one may appoint another person.

7. I And how is (a Bhikkhu) to appoint himself? Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Saṃgha: "Let the Saṃgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. If the Saṃgha is ready, I will question N. N. about the Vinaya." Thus one may appoint himself. And how is (a Bhikkhu) to appoint another person? Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Saṃgha: "Let the Saṃgha, &c. If the Saṃgha is ready, let N. N. question N. N. about the Vinaya." Thus one may appoint another person.”

8. At that time appointed, clever Bhikkhus put questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha; The Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus conceived anger (towards those Bhikkhus), conceived discontent, and threatened them with blows.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I prescribe you, O Bhikkhus, that even he who has been appointed shall (not) put questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha (without) having looked at the assembly and weighed (with the mind each) person (present).”

9, 10. At that time the Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus answered questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha without being appointed thereto.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“Let no one, O Bhikkhus; answer questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha without being appointed thereto. He who does, commits a dukkaṭa offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that questions about the Vinaya are to be answered before the Saṃgha (only) by an appointed (Bhikkhu). And (this Bhikkhu) is to be appointed^[3], &c.”

11. At that time appointed, clever Bhikkhus answered questions about the Vinaya before the Saṃgha. The Chabbaggiya Bhikkhus^[4], &c.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The introduction (nidāna) of the Pātimokkha is the fonnula given above, chap. 3. 3.

[2]:

'Avasesaṃ sutena sāvetabbaṃ,' i.e. it is to be proclaimed: 'The four pārājikā dhammā, &c., are known to the reverend brethren (literally, have been heard by the reverend brethren).'

[3]:

See §§ 6, 7. Read: '. . . I will answer the questions of N.N . about the Vinaya.' And, '. . . let N. N. answer the questions of N. N. about the Vinaya.'

[4]:

See § 8. Read: '. . . shall (not) answer questions about the Vinaya . . .'