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 4, Chapter 18

1. At that time a number of Bhikkhus, companions and friends of each other, entered upon Vassa in a certain district of the Kosala country. These Bhikkhus, living in unity, and concord, and without quarrel, had found a comfortable place to dwell in. Now those Bhikkhus thought: 'Living in unity, &c., we have found a comfortable place to dwell in. If we hold Pavāraṇā now, (other Bhikkhus) might come on a journey, having held their Pavāraṇā, (and might occupy this place); thus we should lose this place which is comfortable to dwell in. Well, what are we to do?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

2. 'In case, O Bhikkhus, a number of Bhikkhus, companions and friends of each other, have entered upon Vassa in a certain district. These Bhikkhus, . . . . (&c., § 1).

'If these Bhikkhus think: "Living in unity, . . . . (&c., § 1, down to:) thus we should lose this place which is comfortable to dwell in," I allow, O Bhikkhus, these Bhikkhus to agree upon pavāraṇāsaṃgaha[1].

3. 'And you ought, O Bhikkhus, to agree upon it in this way: Let them all assemble together. When they have assembled, let a leamed, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before the Saṃgha: "Let the Saṃgha, reverend Sirs, hear me.

Living in unity, . . . . (&c., § 1, down to:) thus we should lose this place which is comfortable to dwell in. If the Saṃgha is ready, let the Saṃgha agree upon pavāraṇāsaṃgaha; let it now hold Uposatha and recite the Pātimokkha, and let the Saṃgha hold Pavāraṇā on the next komudī cātumāsinī day. This is the ñatti."

4. '"Let the Saṃgha, &c.[2]"

5. 'If, O Bhikkhus, after those Bhikkhus have agreed upon pavāraṇāsaṃgaha, a Bhikkhu should say: "I wish, friends, to go on my travels through the country; I have a business in the country," let them reply to him: "Good, friend, hold Pavāraṇā; and go." If that Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, when holding Pavāraṇā inhibits the Pavāraṇā of another Bhikkhu, let (that other Bhikkhu) say to him: "You are not master of my Pavāraṇā, friend; I will not hold Pavāraṇā now."

'If, O Bhikkhus, when that Bhikkhu holds Pavāraṇā, another Bhikkhu inhibits his Pavāraṇā, let the Saṃgha question and examine them both and treat them according to the law.

6. 'If that Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, has finished that business in the country and comes back to that district before the clay of komudī cātumāsinī, and if a Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, when the Bhikkhus hold Pavāraṇā, inhibits the Pavāraṇā of that Bhikkhu (who has been absent), let him say (to the inhibiting Bhikkhu): "You are not master of my Pavāraṇā, friend; I have held my Pavāraṇā."

“If, O Bhikkhus, when the Bhikkhus hold Pavāraṇā, this Bhikkhu inhibits the Pavāraṇā of another Bhikkhu, let the Saṃgha question and examine them both and treat them according to the law, and then hold Pavāraṇā.”

End of the Pavāraṇā-Khandhaka.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Literally this word means, we believe, 'Keeping back one's own Pavāraṇā,' Buddhaghosa says: 'When the decree of pavāraṇāsaṃgaha has been issued, the Bhikkhus (who have issued it) ought to live as in the rainy season. Incoming Bhikkhus are not allowed to take possession of their places of rest. On the other side, they ought not to interrupt their Vassa residence.'

[2]:

Here follows the usual formula of a ñattidutiya kamma as in Book ll, chap. 6. Comp. the note on Book I, chap. 28, § 3.

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