Vinaya Texts
Translated from the Pāli by
T. W. Rhys Davids
and
Hermann Oldenberg
Oxford, the Clarendon Press
[1881]
The Second Part of Volume XVII and Volume XX of The Sacred Books of the East
This work is in the Public Domain.
Reformatted from the Internet Sacred Text Archive version scanned and formatted by Christopher M. Weimer
Kulla Vagga
Twelfth Khandhaka
On the Council of Vesâlî
1
1.1 Now at that time, a century[1] after the death of the Blessed One, the Bhikkhus of Vesālî, Vaggians, promulgated at Vesālî the ten theses:--(1) that storing salt in a horn vessel was permissible; (2) that the midday meal might be eaten when the sun's shadow showed two finger breadths after noon; (3) that he who intends to go into the village could begin to eat again after he had once left off; (4) that a number of Bhikkhus residing within the same boundary might hold Uposatha separately; (5) that a Saṅgha not at unity within itself might carry out an official act, undertaking to inform Bhikkhus of it; (6) that it was permissible for a Bhikkhu to do anything adopted as a practice by his Upagghāya; (7) that curds might be eaten by one who had already finished his midday meal; (8) that it was permissible to drink unfermented toddy; (9) that a rug or mat need not be of the limited size prescribed if it had no fringe; (10) that it was permissible to receive gold and silver[2].
[387] Now at that time the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, who was wandering through the Vaggian country, arrived at Vesālî; and there the venerable Yasa stayed at the Mahāvana, in the Kûtāgāra Hall.
Now at that time the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî, on Uposatha day, filled a copper pot with water and placed it in the midst of the Bhikkhu-samgha, and said to such of their Vesālian lay disciples as came there: 'Give, Sirs, to the Saṅgha a kahāpana[3], or half a one, or a pāda, or a māsaka. It will be wanted for the Saṅgha, for the provision of various utensils.'
When they had thus spoken, the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, said to the lay disciples: 'Do, Sirs, nothing of the kind. The use of gold and silver is not allowed to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas. The Sakyaputtiya Samanas neither allow it to be given to them, nor take charge of it. The Sakyaputtiya Samanas are men whose gems and jewelry have been laid aside, and who are without silver and without gold.'
Though the lay disciples from Vesālî had been thus addressed by the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, they gave money to the Saṅgha. And the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî, at the close of the night, reserving one portion[4], divided that money according to the number of the Bhikkhus. And they said to the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka:
'This, friend Yasa, is thy due portion of the money.'
[388] 'I have no due portion in that money. I do not allow any money to be given to me.'
1.2 Then the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî said one to another: 'This brother, Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, upbraids and reviles, and renders dissatisfied believing and faithful followers. Come, let us carry out against him the Act of Reconciliation[5].' And they did so.
Then the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, said to them: 'It has been laid down, Sirs, by the Blessed One, that a companion shall be appointed to go as messenger with a Bhikkhu against whom the Act of Reconciliation has been carried out[6]. Appoint, Sirs, a Bhikkhu, as companion messenger to me.' And the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî deputed a Bhikkhu to that work, and gave him as a companion messenger to the venerable Yasa.
And the venerable Yasa, taking the companion Bhikkhu with him, entered into Vesālî, and said to the believing laymen there:
'I am said, Sirs, to be upbraiding and reviling, and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, thereby that I have said what is against the Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma, and what is against the Vinaya to be against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya to be Vinaya.
1.3 'Now the Blessed One was once, Sirs, staying at Sāvatthi in the Getavana, Anātha Pindika's pleasure-ground. And there, Sirs, the Blessed One exhorted the Bhikkhus, and said:
[389] '"There are, O Bhikkhus, four obstructions of the sun and moon, by which when the sun and moon are affected, they give no heat and they give no light, and they are no longer glorious. And what are the four? They are clouds and fog and dusty smoke and Rāhu[7], by which when the sun and the moon are affected they give neither heat nor light nor sheen. Just so, O Bhikkhus, there are four stains by which when Samanas and Brāhmans are affected they give neither heat nor light nor sheen. And what are the four? There are some Samanas and Brāhmans who drink strong drink, and things intoxicating, abstaining not therefrom[8]. This is the first of such stains. And further, O Bhikkhus, there are some Samanas and Brāhmans who practise sexual intercourse, and abstain not therefrom. This is the second of such stains. And further, O Bhikkhus, there are some Samanas and Brāhmans who accept silver and gold, abstaining not from the use thereof. This is the third of such stains. And lastly, O Bhikkhus, there are some Samanas and Brāhmans who gain their livelihood by low arts[9], abstaining not from such means of life. This is the fourth of such stains."
'Thus spoke, Sirs, the Blessed One: and when the Happy One had thus spoken, the Master further said:
'"Stained by lust and malice, some Samanas and Brāhmans,
[390] Men blinded by ignorance, praise things that seem to have delight.
Strong drink they drink and fierce, indulge in sensual acts,
Devoid of wisdom, silver and gold they take.
And by low arts some Samanas and Brāhmans live.
Stains are such actions called by the Buddha of the Solar race,
Stains--by which defiled some Samanas and Brāhmans,
Impure brutes and unclean, give neither heat nor light.
Covered rather by darkness, purblind, enslaved by craving lusts,
They enlarge the realm of death[10], and dread rebirth they gain."
'It is for upholding this opinion that I, Sirs, have been said to be upbraiding and reviling and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, in that I have said what is against the Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma; what is against the Vinaya to be against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya to be Vinaya.
1.4 'And once the Blessed One was staying, Sirs, at Rāgagaha, in the Veluvana, at the Kalandaka Nivāpa. Now at that time among the royal attendants sitting together in the women's apartment in the palace, the following saying was heard: "Silver and gold is allowed to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas.
[391] The Sakyaputtiya Samanas accept it, and take it in charge." Now at that time Manikûlaka, a village headman, was present. And he said to the people there: "Say not so, Sirs. Neither is silver and gold allowed to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, nor do they accept it, nor take it in charge. The Sakyaputtiya Samanas are men who have laid aside gems and jewelry, and are without silver, and without gold." And the headman, Manikûlaka, succeeded in satisfying them.
'Then the headman, Manikûlaka, went to the place where the Blessed One was and saluted him, and took his seat on one side. And he told the Blessed One the whole matter[11], and said:
'"Now am I, Lord, in maintaining as I did, one who speaks according to the word of the Blessed One, one who does not falsely represent the Blessed One, one who does not put forth minor matters in the place of the true Dhamma? And is there anything that leads to blame in such discussion, this way and that, as touching the observance of the rules of the order[12]?"
'"Most certainly, Manikûlaka, in maintaining thus you speak in accordance with my word, and do not represent me falsely, nor put forth minor matters as the true Dhamma. Nor is there any thing leading to blame in such discussions. For gold and silver is not allowed, Manikûlaka, to the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, nor ought they to accept it, nor take it in charge. Men who have laid aside gems and jewelry are the Sakyaputtiya Samanas, [392] men without silver and without gold. For to whomsoever, Manikûlaka, gold and silver are allowed, to him also the five kinds of sensual pleasure[13] are allowed. And to whomsoever these five kinds of pleasure are allowed, him you may know of a certainty to be following neither the rule of the Samanas, nor the rule of the sons of Sākya. Although, Manikûlaka, I have said that he who is in need of grass may seek for grass, and he who is in need of wood may seek for wood, and he who is in need of a conveyance may seek for a conveyance, and he who is in need of a servant may seek for a servant; yet have I never said in any way whatever that gold or silver may be sought after or accepted."
'It is for maintaining this opinion that I, Sirs, have been said to be upbraiding and reviling and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, in that I have said what is against the Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma; that what is against the Vinaya is against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya is Vinaya.'
1.5 'And once, Sirs, the Blessed One at the same place, at Rāgagaha, on the occasion of the matter of Upananda, the Sākyan, distinctly laid down a precept by which gold and silver were forbidden[14].
'It is for maintaining this opinion that I, Sirs, have been said to be upbraiding and reviling and rendering dissatisfied believing and faithful followers, in that I have said what is against the [393] Dhamma to be against the Dhamma, and what is Dhamma to be Dhamma; that what is against the Vinaya is against the Vinaya, and what is Vinaya is Vinaya.'
1.6 When he had thus spoken, the lay brethren said to Yasa, the son of Kākandaka There is but one, Sirs[15], who is a Sakyaputtiya Samana, our master, Yasa, the son of Kākandaka. All the rest are no Samanas, neither Sakyaputtiyas. Let the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, dwell among us. We will exert ourselves to provide him with robes, and food, and medicine, and the necessaries for the sick.'
Then the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, having gained over the lay brethren, returned with the companion Bhikkhu to the Ârāma,
1.7 And the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî asked the companion Bhikkhu: 'Did Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, obtain, Sir, the forgiveness of the lay brethren?'
'Evil, Sirs, hath been wrought against us. Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, and he alone has been decided to be a Sakyaputtiya Samana, and all of us neither Samanas nor Sakyaputtiyas.'
Then the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî said: 'The venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, without being deputed by us, has proclaimed to laymen (a false doctrine)[16]. Come, let us carry out the Act of Suspension[17] against him.' And [394] they assembled together with the intention of doing so.
But the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, rose up into the sky and descended at Kosambî. And he sent messengers to the Bhikkhus of the Western country, and of Avanti, and of the Southern country[18], saying, 'Let your reverences come! We must take in charge this legal question before what is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and what is Dhamma is put aside; before what is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and what is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Vinaya become weak.'
1.8 Now at that time the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî[19] was dwelling on the Ahogaṅga Hill[20]. And thither the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, went; and on his arrival he saluted the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî, and took his seat on one side: and being so seated he said to him:
'Lord, these Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî have [395] put forward ten theses.' And he told him what they were[21], and added: 'Come now, Lord, let us take in charge this last question before what is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and what is Dhamma is put aside; before what is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and what is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Vinaya become weak.'
'Even so, Lord,' said the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî, in assent to the venerable Yasa Kākandaka-putta.
Then about sixty Bhikkhus from the Western country, all of whom were hermits, all of whom lived only on alms, all of whom dressed only in cast-off clothes, and kept only three robes, and all of whom were Arahats, assembled together at the Ahogaṅga Hill. And about eighty-eight from Avanti and the Southern country, some of whom were hermits, and some of whom, lived only on alms, and some of whom dressed only in cast-off clothes, and some of whom kept only three robes, but all of whom were Arahats, met together with them on the Ahogaṅga Hill.
1.9 And the Thera Bhikkhus, consulting together, came to this conclusion: 'This legal question, now, is hard and subtle. How can we obtain such support that we may have the greater power at the decision thereof[22]?'
[396] Now at that time the venerable Revata was dwelling at Soreyya, and he was wise in the traditions, one who had learned the Agamas (the four Nikāyas), and knew by heart the Dhamma, the Vinaya, and the Mātikās; intelligent, discreet, and wise, modest, conscientious, devoted to the precepts[23]. And the Thera Bhikkhus thought that if they could gain him over to their side, they would attain their end.
And the venerable Revata, by the divine ear, clear and surpassing that of men, heard the Thera Bhikkhus as they were thus consulting together; and he thought: 'This legal question is both hard and subtle, it would not become me to hold back therefrom. But even now those Bhikkhus (the Vaggians) will be coming. It would be unpleasant travelling for me were I to fall in with them. Let me go on before them.'
So the venerable Revata went from Soreyya to Samkassa. And when the Thera Bhikkhus went to Soreyya, and asked: 'Where is the venerable Revata?' they said: 'He is gone to Samkassa.'
Now the venerable Revata had gone on from Samkassa to Kannakugga. And when the Thera Bhikkhus came to Samkassa, and asked: 'Where is the venerable Revata?' they said: 'He is gone on to Kannakugga.' And in the same way they followed him thither, and to Udumbara, and to Aggalapura, and to Sahagāti, and there they met with the venerable Revata.
1.10 And the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî said to the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka:
[397] 'Friend, the brother Revata is wise in the traditions, has learnt the Agamas, knows by heart the Dhamma, the Vinaya, and the Mātikās, he is intelligent, discreet, and wise, modest, conscientious, and devoted to the precepts. If we ask the venerable Revata a puzzling question, he is capable of spending the whole night on that one question. And even now the venerable Revata will call upon a Bhikkhu who is an intoner[24], and a pupil of his. Do you, therefore, when the Bhikkhu has concluded, go to the venerable Revata and ask him concerning these ten theses (points).'
'Even so, Sir,' said the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, in assent to the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî.
And the venerable Revata called upon the Bhikkhu, the pupil of his, the intoner. And when the Bhikkhu had concluded, the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, went to the venerable Revata, and saluted him, and took his seat beside him. And, so seated, he said to the venerable Revata[25]:
'Is the horn-salt-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this horn-salt-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to carry about salt in a horn with the intention of putting it into food which has not been salted?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Is the two-inch-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this two-inch-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to eat the midday meal [398] beyond the right time, provided only that the shadow has not yet turned two inches?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Is the village-trip-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this village-trip-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, for one who has once finished his meal, and refused any more, to eat food which has not been left over, on the ground that he is about to proceed into the village?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Is the circuit-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this circuit-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, for a number of Bhikkhus who dwell within the same circuit, within the same boundary, to hold separate Uposathas?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Is the indemnity-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this indemnity-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, for a Saṅgha, which is not legally constituted[26], to perform an official act on the ground that they will afterwards obtain the sanction of such Bhikkhus who may subsequently arrive?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Is the precedent-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this precedent-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to do a thing on the ground that, "My preceptor (upagghāya) has practised this; or my teacher (ākariya) has practised that?"'
'In some cases, Sir, this is allowable, and in some not[27].'
[399] 'Is the churn-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this churn-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, for one who has once finished his meal, and has refused any more, to drink milk not left over from the meal, on the ground that it has left the condition of milk, and has not yet reached the condition of curds[28]?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink toddy?'
'What, Sir, is this toddy?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink spirits which have left the condition of not being spirits, and yet have not acquired intoxicating properties[29]?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable?'
'Is a rug or mat (when it is beyond the prescribed size) lawful, Lord, because it is unfringed?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Is gold and silver, Lord, allowable?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
These are the ten theses, Lord, which these Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî have put forth. Come, Lord, let us take this legal question in hand before that which is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and that which is Dhamma is put aside; before that which is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and that which is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those [400] who argue in favour of the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who argue in favour of the Vinaya become weak.'
'Even so, Sir,' said the venerable Revata, in assent to the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka.
Here ends the First Portion for Recitation.
2
2.1 Now the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî heard the rumour: 'Yasa, they say, the son of Kākandaka, wishing to take this legal question in hand, is seeking about for support, and support they say he is succeeding in getting.' And they thought: 'This legal question, now, is hard and subtle. How can we obtain such support that we may have the greater power at the decision thereof[30]?'
And they thought: 'The venerable Yasa, who dwells at Soreyya, is wise in the traditions, and is one who has learnt the Agamas, who knows by heart the Dhamma, the Vinaya, the Mātikās, is intelligent, discreet, and wise, modest, conscientious, and devoted to the precepts. If we could gain him over to our side, we should attain our end.'
Then the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî got together much property, requisites, a number of things of the Samanas' life--to wit, bowls and robes, and rugs, and needlecases, and girdles, and filters, and regulation-pots[31]. And, taking this property with [401] them, they went up stream by boat to Sahagāti, and there disembarked, and took their meal at the foot of a certain tree.
2.2 Now to the venerable Sālha, who retired apart and was plunged in meditation, there occurred this doubtful problem: 'Are the Bhikkhus of the East, or the Bhikkhus of the West, the more in accordance with the Dhamma in the opinion that they hold?' And having gone over the Dhamma and the Vinaya in his mind, he came to the conclusion, 'The Bhikkhus of the East are not, and the Bhikkhus of the West are, in accordance with the Dhamma in the opinion that they hold.'
And a certain one of the deities in the Pure Abode[32] perceived how this doubtful problem had arisen in the venerable Sālha's mind, and as quickly as a strong man could stretch forth his bent arm, or draw it in again when it was outstretched, so quickly did that deity vanish from the Pure Abode, and appeared before the venerable Sālha; saying to him: 'Thou art quite right, Sālha; it is the Eastern Bhikkhus whose opinions are against the Dhamma, and the Western Bhikkhus whose opinions accord therewith. Do thou, therefore, O Sālha, even as the Dhamma is, so take thy stand!'
'Both formerly, O deity, and now, also, do I take my stand even as the Dhamma is. Notwithstanding, I shall not make manifest my opinion until (the Saṅgha) shall have appointed me (judge) over this question[33].'
2.3 Now the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî, taking with them the aforesaid property, went to the place [402] where the venerable Revata was, and said to him: 'Let the venerable Thera receive at our hands these requisites of a Samana's life.'
But he refused to receive it, saying, 'Not so, my friends. I have all the things[34] I want.'
Now at that time a Bhikkhu named Uttara, who had been twenty years admitted into the Order[35], was the attendant upon the venerable Revata. And the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî went to him, and said: 'Let your reverence receive at our hands these requisites of a Samana's life.'
But he made the same reply.
Then they said: 'People used to offer such requisites to the Blessed One. If he received them, they were happy. If he did not receive them, they used to offer them to the venerable Ânanda, saying, "Let the venerable Thera receive these requisites of a Samana's life: that will be just as if the Blessed One had received them." Let the venerable Uttara receive these things: that will be as if the Thera had received them.'
Then the venerable Uttara, being thus importuned by the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî, accepted one robe, saying, 'You may tell me, friends, what you want.'
'Let the venerable Uttara say thus much for us to the Thera: "Let the venerable Thera say thus much in the meeting of the Saṅgha--'It is in the regions of the East that the Buddhas, the Blessed Ones, are born. It is the Bhikkhus of the East who hold opinions in accord with the Dhamma, whereas the Bhikkhus of the West do not.'"'
[403] 'Even so, Sirs,' said the venerable Uttara, in assent to the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî. And he went to Revata, and told him what they had said.
'Thou urgest me, O Bhikkhu, to that which is against the Dhamma,' said the Thera, and sent away the venerable Uttara[36].
And the Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî said to the venerable Uttara: 'What, fiend Uttara, did the Thera say?'
'It is an evil you have wrought me, Sirs. The Thera has sent me away, saying, "Thou urgest me, O Bhikkhu, to what is against the Dhamma."'
'Are you not, Sir, of full age, of twenty years (since your upasampadā)?'
'Yes, Sirs, I am.'
'Then do we take the nissaya under you as your pupils[37].'
2.4 Now the Saṅgha met together with the intention of deciding the legal question. And the venerable Revata laid a resolution before the Saṅgha, saying,
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. If we were to settle this question, it might be that those Bhikkhus who had at first taken the matter in hand might raise it again[38]. If it seem meet to the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha settle it at that place where it arose.'
[404] Then the Thera Bhikkhus went to Vesālî, with the intention of settling the matter there.
Now at that time the eldest Thera in the world, Sabbakāmî by name, one who was of a hundred and twenty years' standing from the date of his upasampadā, and who had been a pupil[39] of the venerable Ânanda, was living at Vesālî. And the venerable Revata said to the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî:
'I shall go to that Vihāra in which the Thera Sabbakāmî dwells. Do you go betimes to the venerable Sabbakāmî, and question him as touching these ten points.'
'Even so, Lord,' said the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî, in assent to the venerable Revata.
And the venerable Revata came to that Vihāra in which the venerable Sabbakāmî lived; and a sleeping-place was made ready for the former in the inner chamber, and for the latter in front thereof. And the venerable Revata, thinking, 'This Thera, though so old, does not care to sleep,' did not go to rest. And the venerable Sabbakāmî, thinking, 'This Bhikkhu, though a traveller and tired, does not care to sleep,' did not go to rest.
2.5 Then when the night was far spent, the venerable Sabbakāmî said to the venerable Revata:
'By what manner of life, beloved one, have you lived now these so many years?'
'By continuing in the sense of love, honoured friend, have I continued thus so many years.'
'They say that you have continued thus, beloved one, by easiness of life: and that indeed, beloved one, is an easy life, (I mean) the continuing in love.'
[405] 'Even long ago, Sir, when I was a layman, was much love laid up in my heart, therefore is it that now also I live much in the sense of love, and indeed since long I have attained to Arahatship. And by what manner of life have you lived now these many years?'
'By continuing in the sense of the emptiness (of worldly things) have I, beloved one, lived these many years.'
'They say that you, honoured friend, have continued thus by the sense of being a man born to greatness[40]; and that indeed, honoured friend, is the same feeling, (I mean) the sense of the emptiness of things.'
'Even long ago, beloved one, when I was a layman, had I a strong sense of the emptiness of things, therefore is it that now also I live much in that feeling, and indeed since long I have attained to Arahatship.'
2.6 Now[41] this conversation between the Thera Bhikkhus was still unfinished when the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî arrived there. And he went up to the venerable Sabbakāmî, and saluted him, and took his seat beside him. And, so seated, he said to the venerable Sabbakāmî:
'These Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesālî have put forth in Vesālî these ten points;' and he told them all[42]. 'Now you, O Thera, have mastered much Dhamma and Vinaya at the feet of your preceptor.
[406] What, then, is the conclusion to which you, O Thera, come as you lay over in your mind the Dhamma and the Vinaya;--whose opinion is in accordance with the Dhamma, that of the Bhikkhus of the East, or that of the Bhikkhus of the West?'
'You also, Sir, have mastered much Dhamma and Vinaya at the feet of your preceptor. What, then, is the conclusion to which you, Sir, come as you lay over in your mind the Dhamma and the Vinaya;--whose opinion is in accordance with the Dhamma, that of the Bhikkhus of the East, or that of the Bhikkhus of the West?'
'The conclusion to which I come, Lord, as I so lay over in my mind the Dhamma and the Vinaya, is this--that the Bhikkhus of the East hold an opinion that is not in accord with the Dhamma, while the Bhikkhus of the West are in accord with the Dhamma. Notwithstanding, I do not intend to make manifest my opinion until (the Saṅgha) shall have appointed me (referee) over this question[43].'
'The conclusion to which I also have come, Sir, as I lay over in my mind the Dhamma and the Vinaya, is this--that the Bhikkhus of the East hold an opinion that is not in accordance with the Dhamma, while the Bhikkhus of the West are in accord with the Dhamma. Notwithstanding, I do not intend to make manifest my opinion until (the Saṅgha) shall have appointed me (referee) over this question.'
2.7 Then the Saṅgha met together with the intention of enquiring into this legal question. But while they were enquiring into it, both was much pointless speaking brought forth and also the sense [407] in no single speech was clear[44]. Then the venerable Revata laid a resolution before the Saṅgha:
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. Whilst we are discussing this legal question, there is both much pointless speaking, and no sense is clear in any single speech. If it seem meet to the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha settle this legal question by referring it (to a jury)[45].'
And he chose four Bhikkhus of the East and four Bhikkhus of the West--from the Bhikkhus of the East the venerable Sabbakāmî, and the venerable Sālha, and the venerable Khugga-sobhita, and the venerable Vāsabha-gāmika--and from the Bhikkhus of the West, the venerable Revata, and the venerable Sambhûta Sānavāsî, and the venerable Yasa, the son of Kākandaka, and the venerable Sumana. Then the venerable Revata laid a resolution before the Saṅgha:
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. During the enquiry into this matter there has been much pointless talk among us, and in no single utterance is the sense clear. If it seem meet to the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha delegate four Bhikkhus of the East and four Bhikkhus of the West to settle this question by reference. This is the resolution.
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. During the enquiry into this matter there has been much pointless talk among us, and the sense in any single utterance is not clear. The Saṅgha delegates four Bhikkhus of the East and four Bhikkhus of the West to settle this question by reference. Whosoever [408] of the venerable ones approves thereof, let him keep silence. Whosoever approves not thereof, let him speak. The delegation is made accordingly. The Saṅgha approves thereof. Therefore is it silent. Thus do I understand.'
Now at that time a Bhikkhu named Agita, of ten years' standing, was the reciter of the Pātimokkha to the Saṅgha. Him did the Saṅgha appoint as seat regulator[46] to the Thera Bhikkhus.
Then the Thera Bhikkhus thought, 'At what place, now, ought we to settle this legal question?' And it occurred to them: 'This Vālika Ârāma is a pleasant place, quiet and undisturbed. Let us settle the matter there.' And thither the Thera Bhikkhus proceeded to enquire into the question.
2.8 Then the venerable Revata laid a resolution before the Saṅgha[47]: 'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. If it seem meet to the Saṅgha, I will question the venerable Sabbakāmî as touching the Vinaya.' And the venerable Sabbakāmî laid a resolution before the Saṅgha: 'If it seem meet to the Saṅgha, I, when asked by Revata touching the Vinaya, will give reply.'
And the venerable Revata said to the venerable Sabbakāmî: 'Is the horn-salt-license, Lord, allowable?'
[409] 'What, Sir, is this horn-salt-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to carry about salt in a horn with the intention of putting it into food which has not been salted?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where was such a claim rejected?'
'At Sāvatthi, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga.'
'Of what offence is the person, who does so, guilty?'
'Of Pākittiya, in eating food which has been put by[48].'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This first point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast the first vote.'
'Is the two-inch-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this two-inch-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to eat the midday meal beyond the right time, provided only that the shadow of the sun has not yet turned two inches?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where has such a claim been rejected?'
'At Rāgagaha, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga.'
'Of what offence is he, who does so, guilty?'
'Of Pākittiya, in eating at the wrong time[49].'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This second point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast the second vote.'
'Is the village-trip-license, Lord, allowable?'
[410] 'What, Sir, is this village-trip-license?'
'Is it allowable for one who has once finished his meal, and has refused any more, to eat food which has not been left over, on the ground that he is about to proceed into the village?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where was such a claim rejected?'
'At Sāvatthi, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga.'
'Of what offence is he, who does so, guilty?'
'Of Pākittiya, in eating food which has not been left over[50].'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This third point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast the third vote.'
'Is the circuit-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this circuit-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, for a number of Bhikkhus who dwell within the same circuit, within the same boundary, to hold separate Uposathas?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where was such a claim rejected?'
'At Rāgagaha, in the Uposatha Samyutta[51]'
'Of what offence is he, who does so, guilty?' 'Of Dukkata, in neglecting the Vinaya.'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This fourth point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast the fourth vote.'
[411] 'Is the indemnity-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this indemnity-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, for a Saṅgha which is not legally constituted to perform an official act, on the ground that they will afterwards obtain the sanction of such Bhikkhus as subsequently arrive?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where was such a claim rejected?'
'In the Kampeyyaka section, in the body of the Vinaya[52].'
'Of what offence is he, who does so, guilty?'
'Of Dukkata, in neglecting the Vinaya.'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This fifth point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast this fifth vote.'
'Is the precedent-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this precedent-license?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to do a thing on the ground that "My preceptor (upagghāya) has practised this," or "My teacher (ākariya) has practised that?"'
'In some cases, Sir, it is allowable, and in some not[53]'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This sixth point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast this sixth vote.'
'Is the churn-license, Lord, allowable?'
'What, Sir, is this churn-license?'
[412] 'Is it allowable, Lord, for one who has once finished his meal, and has refused any more, to drink milk not left over from the meal, on the ground that it has left the condition of milk and has not yet reached the condition of curds?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where was such a claim rejected?'
'At Sāvatthi, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga.'
'Of what offence is he, who does so, guilty?'
'Of Pākittiya, in eating food which has not been left over[54].'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This seventh point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast this seventh vote.'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink toddy?'
'What, Sir, is this toddy?'
'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink spirits which have not yet become spirits and have not yet acquired intoxicating properties?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where was it rejected?'
'At Kosambî, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga:
'Of what offence is he, who does so, guilty?'
'Of Pākittiya, in the drinking of fermented liquors and strong drink[55].'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. The eighth point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast this eighth vote.'
[413] 'Is the unfringed-seat, Lord, allowable[56]?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where has it been rejected?'
'At Sāvatthi, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga.'
'Of what offence is he, who uses such a seat, guilty?'
'Of Pākittiya, in using a thing which ought to be cut down (to the proper size)[57].'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This ninth point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast this ninth vote.'
'Is gold and silver, Lord, allowable?'
'No, Sir, it is not allowable.'
'Where was it forbidden?'
'At Rāgagaha, in the Sutta Vibhaṅga.'
'Of what offence is he, who takes it, guilty?'
'Of Pākittiya, in accepting gold and silver[58].'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. This tenth point, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, has been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master. Thus do I cast this tenth vote.'
'Let the venerable Saṅgha hear me. These ten points, having been examined into by the Saṅgha, have been found to be false Dhamma and false Vinaya, and not contained in the teaching of the Master.'
[414] '[59]This legal question, Sir, has been concluded; and being settled, it is settled once for all. Nevertheless, Sir, do you question me on these ten points in the midst also of the Saṅgha [60], in order to persuade those Bhikkhus[61].'
So the venerable Revata questioned the venerable Sabbakāmî on the ten points also in the midst of the Saṅgha, and as he was questioned on one after the other, the venerable Sabbakāmî gave reply.
9. Now whereas at this rehearsal of the Vinaya seven hundred Bhikkhus, without one more, without one being wanting, took part, therefore is that rehearsal of the Vinaya called 'That of the seven hundred[62].'
Here ends the Twelfth Khandhaka, on the Rehearsal by the Seven Hundred.
[1] As pointed out at xxii of our Introduction, we believe this number ought not to be taken too literally, but to be considered a round number.
[2] The above terms are explained below, §§ 1, 10, and 2, 8.
[3] About a penny; on this and the following terms, see Rh. D.'s 'Ancient Coins and Measures, &c.,' p. S.
[4] Pativiso. See Mahāvagga VIII, 27, 4.
[5] Patisāraniya-kamma. See Kullavagga I, 18.
[6] On Anudûta, see Kullavagga I, 20-22.
[7] That is, eclipse.
[8] It is curious that this matter is not, like all the following, referred to in the Sîlas. See Rh. D.'s 'Buddhist Suttas,' p. 190.
[9] Those, namely, which are set out in the Mahā Sîla (Rh. D.'s Buddhist Suttas,' pp. 196-203).
[10] That is, by being repeatedly reborn they continually die. Vaddhenti katasin ti punappunam kalevara-nikkhipamāna-bhûmim vaddhenti, says Buddhaghosa. The word occurs at Gātaka I, 146.
[11] The whole is repeated in the text.
[12] The whole of this speech recurs, nearly word for word, in the Mahāvagga VI, 31, 4.
[13] Compare Kullavagga VII, 1, 2.
[14] This is set out in full in the Sutta Vibhaṅga in the Introduction to the 18th Nissaggiya Pākittiya,
[15] They are speaking to Yasa and the anudûta.
[16] This cannot refer to the 9th Pākittiya, which only speaks of making known grievous offences. Aṅguttara II, 5, 2 refers to laymen as well as to sāmaneras.
[17] Ukkhepaniya-kamma. See Kullavagga I, 25.
[18] On these terms, compare note on Mahāvagga VII, 1, 1.
[19] Sānavāsî is, literally, he who wears a hempen dress. In the traditions of the Sanskrit Buddhist literature we find mentioned a Sānavāsika, said to be a predecessor, in the teacher and pupil line, of Upagupta (Wassilief, p. 44). The Nepalese call him Sonavāsî (Rajendralāl Mitra, 'Sanskrit Buddhist Literature of Nepāl,' p. 10). He is the hero of the Sānavāsi Avadāna part of the Bodhisatva Avadāna Kalpalatā (Mitra, p. 67, Bendall 'Catalogue of Cambridge MSS.,' p. 42), where the name is explained: 'I wished for an ochre-coloured robe (sona); hence I was called Sānavāsi.'
[20] See, for the position of this mountain, our note last quoted.
[21] In the text the full words of I, 1 are here repeated.
[22] Compare below, XII, 2, I.
[23] These adjectives have occurred above at Mahāvagga X, I, 2, and Kullavagga I, 11, 1.
[24] Sarabhānakam. See our note above at Kullavagga V, 3, 2.
[25] The whole of the following questions and answers recur below at XII, 2, 8, where the reasons of the answers also appear.
[26] Vaggena. See our note on the 21st Pākittiya, and Kullavagga V, 2, 1.
[27] That is, of course, according as the thing enjoined is, or is not, [399] lawful. Ekakko kappatî ti idam dhammikam ākinnam sandhāya vuttam, says Buddhaghosa.
[28] That is, which is neither liquid nor solid: something apparently like buttermilk.
[29] It is a question constantly arising under the excise laws in India and Ceylon, whether the liquor in the case has become arrack, or is only arrack in the making, and unfermented. This last is called unfermented toddy.
[30] Compare above, XII, 1, 9.
[31] On Dhamma-karaka, see our note at Kullavagga V, 13, I.
[32] The Heaven, so called.
[33] Compare below, § 6.
[34] Literally, 'I have the three robes.'
[35] Vîsativasso; that is, since his upasampadā.
[36] Panāmesi. That is, permanently from attendance upon him. Compare Mahāvagga I, 27. 2, where the word is used of the formal dismissal or turning away of a pupil.
[37] Garu-nissayam ganhāma; on which Buddhaghosa has nothing, though the phrase does not occur elsewhere in the Khandhakas.
[38] Compare the 63rd Pākittiya.
[39] Literally, 'had dwelt in the same Vihāra with.'
[40] Mahāpurisa. On the subsequent history of which word, see Senart's 'Légende du Buddha,' pp. 54, 127,
[41] Karahi. Compare 'Book of the Great Decease,' III, 53; Childers, p. 32.
[42] The text repeats XII, 1, 1.
[43] Compare above, § 2.
[44] So above in Kullavagga IV, 24, 19, where the proceeding adopted in the subsequent sentences is laid down for use on such an occasion.
[45] Ubbāhikāya. See the passage quoted in the last note.
[46] Âsana-paññāpakam. This office is not mentioned in the other Khandhakas. We should expect to find it at Kullavagga VI, 21, 2. The reason of this is that it is no office of authority. The different referees would take their seats in the order of their seniority, and all that the āsana-paññāpaka would have to do would be to see that they were provided with everything they required (it was not much, chiefly mats or rugs to sit upon) in the hall or grove where they met.
[47] Here, of course, consisting of the eight referees.
[48] Pākittiya XXXVIII.
[49] Pākittiya XXXVII.
[50] Pākittiya XXXV.
[51] Samyutta must here be used for Khandhaka. The passage referred to is Mahāvagga II (the Uposatha Khandhaka), 8, 3.
[52] Vinaya-vatthu. Here used as a title, apparently of the Khandhakas. The passage referred to is in the Kampeyyaka Khandhaka (Mahāvagga IX, 3, 5).
[53] See the note above on XII, I. 10.
[54] Pākittiya XXXV.
[55] Pākittiya LI.
[56] That is, does the fact of its being unfringed make legal a mat or rug otherwise illegal by reason of its size? See above, XII, 1, 10.
[57] Pākittiya LXXXIX.
[58] The 18th Nissaggiya Pākittiya.
[59] It is clear from the word tvam āvuso, that Sabbakāmî is here addressing Revata.
[60] That is not only of the referees, but of all the Bhikkhus there at Vesālî.
[61] Bhikkhûnam saññattiyā. See the use of this phrase at Kullavagga IV, 14, 26, and VII, 4. I. and our note on the latter of those two passages.
[62] Compare XI, 1, 15.
