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Mv VIII 21
PTS: Mv VIII 24 | CS: vin.mv.08.21
Saṅghikacīvaruppādakathā
The Discussion of the Arising of Robe-cloth for the Saṅgha[1]
by
Ven. Khematto Bhikkhu
Alternate translations/layout: 'line by line' Pāḷi - English

(Mv.VIII.24.1) [164] Now at that time a certain monk had entered the Rains-residence alone. There, people (saying,) “We are giving to the Saṅgha,” gave robe-cloths.

Then the thought occurred to the monk, “It has been laid down by the Blessed One that a Saṅgha is at least a group of four, but I am alone. And the people, (saying,) ‘We are giving to the Saṅgha,’ gave robe-cloths.

“What if I were to carry these robe-cloths belonging to the Saṅgha to Sāvatthī?”

So the monk, taking the robes and going to Sāvatthī, reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“These robe-cloths are yours alone until the dismantling of the kaṭhina.

(Mv.VIII.24.2) “There is the case where a monk is spending the Rains-residence alone.

“There, people (saying,) ‘We are giving to the Saṅgha,’ give robe-cloths.

“Monks, I allow that those robe-cloths be his alone until the dismantling of the kaṭhina.”

(Mv.VIII.24.3) Now at that time a certain monk had entered the non-rainy season alone.

“There, people (saying,) ‘We are giving to the Saṅgha,’ gave robe-cloths.

Then the thought occurred to the monk, “It has been laid down by the Blessed One that a Saṅgha is at least a group of four, but I am alone. And the people, (saying,) “We are giving to the Saṅgha,” gave robe-cloths.

“What if I were to carry these robe-cloths belonging to the Saṅgha to Sāvatthī?”

So the monk, taking the robes and going to Sāvatthī, reported the matter to the monks. The monks reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that (robe-cloth) be divided up among the Saṅgha that is present.

(Mv.VIII.24.4) “Monks, there is the case where a monk has entered the non-rainy season alone.

“There, people (saying,) ‘We are giving to the Saṅgha,’ give robe-cloths.

“Monks, I allow that he determine the robe-cloths, ‘These robe-cloths are mine.’ If, when he has not yet determined the robe-cloths, another monk comes along, then an equal share is to be given to him. If, while those monks are dividing the cloth but have not yet drawn kusa-lots, another monk comes along, an equal share is to be given to him. If those monks dividing the cloth have drawn kusa-lots and another monk comes along, they do not have to give him a share if they don’t want to.”

(Mv.VIII.24.5) Now at that time two elder brothers, Ven. Isidāsa and Ven. Isibhatta, having spent the Rains-residence in Sāvatthī, went to a certain village monastery. People (saying), “At long last the elders have come,” gave food together with robe-cloths.

The resident monks asked the elders, “Venerable sirs, these Saṅgha robe-cloths have arisen because of your coming. Will you consent to a portion?”

The elders said, “As we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, these robe-cloths are yours alone until the dismantling of the kaṭhina.”

(Mv.VIII.24.6) Now at that time three monks were spending the Rains-residence in Rājagaha. There, people (saying), “We are giving to the Saṅgha,” gave robe-cloths. The thought occurred to the monks, “It has been laid down by the Blessed One that a Saṅgha is at least a group of four, but we are three people. Yet these people (saying), ‘We are giving to the Saṅgha,’ have given robe-cloths. What course should we follow?”

Now at that time several elders — Ven. Nīlvāsī, Ven. Sāṇavāsī, Ven. Gopaka, Ven. Bhagu, and Ven. Phalikasandāna — were staying in Pāṭaliputta at the Rooster Park. So the monks, having gone to Pāṭaliputta, asked the elders. The elders said, “As we understand the Dhamma taught by the Blessed One, these robe-cloths are yours alone until the dismantling of the kaṭhina.”

Notes

1.
See also: BMCI NP3: Object
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