Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga

by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 137,074 words

The Cullavagga (part of the Vinaya collection) includes accounts of the First and Second Buddhist Councils as well as the establishment of the community of Buddhist nuns. The Cullavagga also elaborates on the etiquette and duties of Bhikkhus....

Cullavagga, Khandaka 10, Chapter 15

1. Now at that time the people gave food to the Bhikkhus, and the Bhikkhus gave to the Bhikkhunīs. The people murmured, were indignant, and complained, saying: 'How can their reverences give away to others what was given for them to have—as if we did not know how to give gifts?'

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'A Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, is not to give away to others what was given for them themselves to have. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkaṭa.'

Now at that time the Bhikkhus had come into the possession of some (meat for) food. They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to give it to the Saṃgha.'

Too much came into their possession.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to give away that which was given to special individuals (and to keep that which had come into the possession of the Saṃgha as a whole[1]).' Now at that time food, which had been stored up for the Bhikkhus, had come into their possession.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow food that has been stored up to be enjoyed by the Bhikkhunīs after they have had it given over to them by the Bhikkhus.'

2. [The same repeated, reading Bhikkhunī for Bhikkhu, and vice versā.]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Puggalikaṃ dātuṃ. On this phrase compare the similar one below at X, 24. Buddhaghosa has no note either here or there.

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