Mahavagga, Khandaka 4, Chapter 15

1. At that time a certain residence (of Bhikkhus) in the Kosala country was menaced on the day of Pavāraṇā by savage people. The Bhikkhus were not able to perform Pavāraṇā with the threefold formula.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to perform Pavāraṇā with the twofold formula^[1].”

The danger from savage people became still more urgent. The Bhikkhus were not able to perform Pavāraṇā with the twofold formula.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to perform Pavāraṇā with the onefold formula^[1].”

The danger from savage people became still more urgent. The Bhikkhus were not able to perform Pavāraṇā with the onefold formula.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I allow, O Bhikkhus, that all the Bhikkhus who have kept Vassa together, perform Pavāraṇā (by one common declaration).”

2. At that time in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā the greater part of the night had passed away while (lay-)people were offering gifts (to the Bhikkhus). Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'The greater part of the night has passed away while the people were offering gifts. If the Saṃgha performs Pavāraṇā with the threefold formula, it will not have finished the Pavāraṇā when day breaks. Well, what are we to do?'

They told this thingto the Blessed One.

3. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā the greater part of the night has passed away while people were offering gifts (to the Bhikkhus). Now if those Bhikkhus think: "The greater part (&c., down to:) when day breaks," let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Saṃgha: "Let the Saṃgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. While people were offering gifts, the greater part of the night has passed away. If the Saṃgha performs Pavāraṇā with the threefold formula, it will not have finished the Pavāraṇā when day breaks. If the Saṃgha is ready, let the Saṃgha hold Pavāraṇā with the twofold formula, or with the onefold formula, or by common declaration of all the Bhikkhus who have kept Vassa together."

4. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā the greater part of the night has passed away while the Bhikkhus were in confusion: the Bhikkhus were reciting the Dhamma, those versed in the Suttantas were propounding the Suttantas, those versed in the Vinaya were discussing the Vinaya, the Dhamma preachers were talking about the Dhamma. Now if those Bhikkhus think: "The greater part of the night has passed away while the Bhikkhus were in confusion. If the Saṃgha performs Pavāraṇā with the threefold formula, it will not have finished the Pavāraṇā when day breaks," let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Saṃgha: "Let the Saṃgha, &c. The greater part of the night has passed away while the Bhikkhus were in confusion. If the Saṃgha performs Pavāraṇā (&c. as in § 3)"'

5. At that time in a certain district in the Kosala country a great assembly of Bhikkhus had come together on the day of Pavāraṇā, and there was but a small place protected from rain, and a great cloud was in the sky. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'A great assembly of Bhikkhus has come together here, and there is but a small place protected from rain, and a great cloud is in the sky. If the Saṃgha performs Pavāraṇā with the threefold formula, it will not have finished the Pavāraṇā when this cloud will begin to rain. Well, what are we to do?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

6. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, in a certain district a great assembly of Bhikkhus has come together on the day ofPavāraṇā, and there is but a small place protected from rain, and a great cloud is in the sky. Now if those Bhikkhus think . . . . (&c., as in § 3 to the end).

7. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā danger arises from kings, danger from robbers, danger from fire, danger from water, danger from human beings, danger from non-human beings, danger from beasts of prey, danger from creeping things, danger of life, danger against chastity. Now if those Bhikkhus think: "Here is danger for our chastity. If the Saṃgha performs Pavāraṇā with the threefold formula, it will not have finished the Pavāraṇā when this danger for chastity will arise," let a learned, competent Bhikkhu . . . .' (&c., as in § 3 to the end).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This means apparently that the Bhikkhus were not obliged to pronounce the formula of Pavāraṇā (chap. 1, 14) thrice, but twice or once respectively.