Mahavagga, Khandaka 2, Chapter 26

1. At that time four Bhikkhus dwelt in a certain residence (of Bhikkhus) on the day of Uposatha. Now these Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed the holding of Uposatha, and we are (only) four persons^[1]. Welll how are we to hold Uposatha?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that four (Bhikkhus) may recite the Pātimokkha.”

2. At that time three Bhikkhus dwelt in a certain residence (of Bhikkhus) at the day of Uposatha. Now these Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed to four (Bhikkhus) the reciting of the Pātimokkha, and we are (only) three persons: &c. 'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that three Bhikkhus may hold pārisuddhi-uposatha^[2].

3. 'And it ought to be held in this way: Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before those Bhikkhus: "Let the reverend brethren hear me. To-day is Uposatha, the fifteenth (day of the half month). If the reverend brethren are ready, let us hold pārisuddhi-uposatha with each other." Let the senior Bhikkhu adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder, sit down squatting, raise his joined hands, and say to those Bhikkhus: "I am pure, friends, understand that I am pure, &c.^[3]"

4. 'Let (each) younger Bhikkhu (in his tum) adjust his upper robe so as to cover one shoulder, sit down squatting, raise his joined hands, and say to those Bhikkhus: "I am pure, reverend Sirs, &c:"'

5. At that time two Bhikkhus dwelt in a certain residence on the day of Uposatha. Now these Bhikkus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed to four (Bhikkhus) the reciting of the Pātimokkha, to three (Bhikkhus) the holding of pārisuddhi-uposatha, and we are (only) two persons,' &c.

“I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that two persons may hold pārisuddhi-uposatha.”

6, 7. 'And it ought to be held in this way: Let the senior Bhikkhu, &c.^[4]'

8. At that time there dwelt a single Bhikkhu in a certain residence on the day of Uposatha. Now this Bhikkhu thought, &c.

9. 'In case there dwell, O Bhikkhus, in a certain residence on the day of Uposatha a single Bhikkhu; let that Bhikkhu; O Bhikkhus, sweep the place which the Bhikkhus used to frequent, the refectory, or hall, or place at the foot of a tree; let him (then) provide water and food, prepare seats, put a lamp there, and sit down. If other Bhikkhus come, let him hold Uposatha with them; if they do not come, let him fix his mind upon the thought: "To-day is my Uposatha." If he does not fix his mind upon this thought, he commits a dukkaṭa offence.

10. 'Now, O Bhikkhus, where four Bhikkhus dwell (together), they must not convey the pārisuddhi^[5] of one (to their assembly), and recite the Pātimokkha by three; If they do, they commit a dukkaṭa offence.

'Now, O Bhikkhus, where three Bhikkhus dwell (together), they must not convey the pārisuddhi of one (to their assembly), and hold pārisuddhi-uposatha by two. If they do, they commit a dukkaṭa offence.

“Now, O Bhikkhus, where two Bhikkhus dwell, one of them must not convey the pārisuddhi of the other one, and fix (only) his thoughts (upon the Uposatha). If he does, he commits a dukkaṭa offence.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The quorum for several official acts of the Order was five or more Bhikkhus; see IX, 4.

[2]:

Uposatha by mutual declaration of purity from the offences specified in the Pātimokkha; see § 3 seq.

[3]:

The same phrase is repeated twice more.

[4]:

See §§ 3, 4. The ñatti prescribed in the preceding case does not apply to this case.

[5]:

See chap. 22.