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 18
Now at that time Bhikkhunīs wasted their time in the dining-hall, doubting as to which should take which seat.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the senior eight Bhikkhunīs shall take their seats according to seniority, and the rest as they happen to come in.'
Now at that time Bhikkhunīs, on the ground that the Blessed One had so prescribed, let the eight senior Bhikkhunīs in every other place take exclusive possession (of the first eight seats), and the rest arranged themselves as they came in.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, as above, only in the case of the dining-hall. Everywhere else let there be no exclusive right to seats by seniority.'