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Mv II 04
PTS: Mv II 6 | CS: vin.mv.02.04
Sīmānujānanā
The Allowance of Territories
by
Ven. Khematto Bhikkhu
Alternate translations/layout: 'line by line' Pāḷi - English

(Mv.II.6.1) [154] Then the thought occurred to the monks, “It has been laid down by the Blessed One that the extent of unity be to the extent of one residence (monastery).”

“But to what extent is there one residence?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a territory be authorized.

“And it should be authorized like this:

“First, the boundary markers should be determined — a mountain-marker, a stone-marker, a grove-marker, a tree-marker, a path-marker, a termite-nest-marker, a river-marker, or a water-marker.

“When the markers have been determined, an experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha:

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. If the Saṅgha is ready, then — as far as those markers that have been determined all around — it should authorize within those markers a territory of common affiliation, of a single Uposatha.

“‘This is the motion.

(Mv.II.6.2) “‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. As far as those markers that have been determined all around, the Saṅgha is authorizing within those markers a territory of common affiliation, of a single Uposatha.

“‘He to whom the authorization of the territory within those markers as one of common affiliation, of a single Uposatha, is agreeable, should remain silent. He to whom it is not agreeable should speak.

“‘The territory within those markers has been authorized by the Saṅgha as one of common affiliation, of a single Uposatha.

“‘This is agreeable to the Saṅgha, therefore it is silent.

“‘Thus do I hold it.’”

(Mv.II.7.1) [155] Now at that time, the Group-of-six monks, (thinking,) “The Blessed One has allowed the authorization of a territory,” authorized excessively large territories — four yojanas, five yojanas, or six yojanas.

Coming to the Uposatha, monks arrived during the recitation of the Pāṭimokkha, when the Pāṭimokkha had just been recited, or they spent the night on the way.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, an excessively large territory — of four yojanas, five yojanas, or six yojanas — should not be authorized. Whoever should authorize one: an offense of wrong doing.

“I allow that a territory be authorized for three yojanas at most.”

(Mv.II.7.2) [156] Now at that time Group-of-six monks authorized a territory including the far side of a river.

Monks coming to the Uposatha were swept away, or their bowls were swept away, or their robes were swept away.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, a territory including the far side of a river should not be authorized. Whoever should authorize one: an offense of wrong doing.

“I allow that a territory including the far side of a river be authorized if it has a permanent boat [i.e. a ferry] or permanent bridge.”

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