On a maximum for observance

^Kd.2.9.1 Now at that time in a certain residence a very small Observance-hall came to be agreed upon. A large Order of monks came to be assembled together on an Observance-day. Monks, sitting on ground that had not been agreed upon, heard the Pātimokkha. Then it occurred to these monks: “It is laid down by the Lord ^Vin.1.108 that the Observance is to be carried out having agreed upon an Observance-hall, but we heard the Pātimokkha while we were sitting on ground that was not agreed upon. Now was the Observance carried out for us or was it not carried out?” They told this matter to the Lord. He said:

“Monks, if one is sitting on the ground, whether it has been agreed upon or not agreed upon, and hears the Pātimokkha from there, the Observance is carried out for him.

^Kd.2.9.2 “Well then, monks, if an Order desires a maximum for ^BD.4.141 Observance^[1] of a certain size let it agree upon a maximum for Observance of that size. And thus, monks, should it be agreed upon: First, marks should be announced. The Order, having announced the marks, should be informed by an experienced, competent monk, saying: ‘Honoured sirs, let the Order listen to me. In as much as marks all round are announced, if it seems right to the Order the Order may agree upon a maximum for Observance in accordance with these marks. This is the motion. Honoured sirs, let the Order listen to me. In as much as marks all round are announced, the Order is agreeing upon the maximum for Observance in accordance with these marks. If the agreement upon a maximum for Observance in accordance with these marks is pleasing to the venerable ones, they should be silent; he to whom it is not pleasing should speak. The maximum for Observance is agreed upon by the Order in accordance with these marks. It is pleasing to the Order, therefore it is silent; thus do I understand this’.”

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^Kd.2.10.1 Now at that time in a certain residence newly ordained monks,^[2] being the first to have assembled together on an Observance day, saying: “The elders are not coming yet,” went away. The Observance was not at a right time.^[3] They told this matter to the Lord. He said:

“I allow, monks, on an Observance day monks who are elders to assemble together first.”

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^Kd.2.11.1 Now at that time in Rājagaha several residences came to have the same boundary. Monks quarrelled about this, saying: “Let the Observance be carried out in our residence,” “Let the Observance be carried out in our residence.” They told this matter to the Lord. He said:

“This is a case, monks, where several residences come to ^BD.4.142 have the same boundary. Monks quarrel about this, saying: ‘Let the Observance be carried out in our residence’, ‘Let the Observance be carried out in our residence’. Monks those monks, one and all,^[4] having assembled together in one place, should carry out the Observance, or, having assembled together they should carry out the Observance there where a monk who is an elder is staying. But the Observance should not be carried out by an incomplete Order.^[5] Whoever should (so) carry it out, there is an offence of wrong-doing.” ^Vin.1.109

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

uposathapamukhaṃ. Not noticed in Pali-English Dictionary. It must refer to the size of a site for hearing the Observance by a maximum number of monks of which an Order might consist.

[2]:

These navakā bhikkhū were only “newly ordained” or junior in comparison with the majjhimā bhikkhū, those of middle standing and ordained for as long as five years, and with the theras, elders, ordained for as many as ten years. A monk is called navaka or nava for the first four years of his religious life after the date of his ordination.

[3]:

I.e. not on the fourteenth or fifteenth day of a half-month.

[4]:

sabbeh’ eva.

[5]:

na tv eva vaggena saṅghena, as below, Kd.2.22.2; Kd.2.23.2 and subsequently. On vagga, see BD.2.269, n.10.