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Mv VIII 24
PTS: Mv VIII 27 | CS: vin.mv.08.24
Matasantakakathā
The Discussion of the Belongings of One who Has Died
by
Ven. Khematto Bhikkhu
Alternate translations/layout: 'line by line' Pāḷi - English

(Mv.VIII.27.1) [167] Now on that occasion two monks were traveling along the road in the Kosalan countryside. They came to a certain monastery. There a certain monk was sick. Then the thought occurred to the monks, “Friend, tending to the sick has been praised by the Blessed One. Let’s tend to this monk.”

So they tended to him. As they were tending to him, he died. Then the monks, taking that monk’s robes and bowl, went to Sāvatthī and reported the matter to the Blessed One.

(Mv.VIII.27.2) “The Saṅgha is the owner of the robes and bowl of a monk who has passed away. But those who tend to the sick are of great service.

“Monks, I allow that the Saṅgha give the triple-robes and the bowl to those who tend to the sick.

“Monks, they should be given like this:

“The monk who tended to the sick, having approached the Saṅgha, should say,

“‘Venerable sirs, the monk named so-and-so has died.

“‘These are his triple-robes and bowl.’”

“An experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha:

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. The monk named so-and-so has died. These are his triple-robes and bowl.

“‘If the Saṅgha is ready, it should give these triple-robes and bowl to those who tended to the sick.

“‘This is the motion.

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. The monk named so-and-so has died. These are his triple-robes and bowl.

“‘The Saṅgha is giving these triple-robes and bowl to those who tended to the sick.

“‘He to whom the giving of these triple-robes and bowl to those who tended to the sick is agreeable should remain silent. He to whom it is not agreeable should speak.

“‘These triple-robes and bowl have been given by the Saṅgha to those who tended to the sick.

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

“‘Thus do I hold it.’”

(Mv.VIII.27.3) Now on that occasion a certain novice died.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“The Saṅgha is the owner of the robe and bowl of a novice who has passed away. But those who tend to the sick are of great service.

“Monks, I allow that the Saṅgha give the robe and bowl to those who tend to the sick.”

“Monks, they should be given like this:

“The monk who tended to the sick, having approached the Saṅgha, should say,

“‘Venerable sirs, the novice named so-and-so has died.

“‘These are his robes and bowl.’”

“An experienced and competent monk should inform the Saṅgha:

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. The novice named so-and-so has died. These are his robes and bowl.

“‘If the Saṅgha is ready, it should give these robes and bowl to those who tended to the sick.

“‘This is the motion.

“‘Venerable sirs, may the Saṅgha listen to me. The novice named so-and-so has died. These are his robes and bowl.

“‘The Saṅgha is giving these robes and bowl to those who tended to the sick.

“‘He to whom the giving of these robes and bowl to those who tended to the sick is agreeable should remain silent. He to whom it is not agreeable should speak.

“‘These robes and bowl have been given by the Saṅgha to those who tended to the sick.

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

“‘Thus do I hold it.’”

(Mv.VIII.27.4) Now on that occasion, a certain monk and a certain novice tended to one who was sick. As they were tending to him, he died. Then the thought occurred to the monk who was tending the the sick, “How should a portion be given to a novice who tends to the sick?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a novice who tends to the sick be given an equal share.”

(Mv.VIII.27.5) Now at that time, a certain monk, who had many possessions, many requisites, died.

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“The Saṅgha is the owner of the robes and bowl of a monk who has passed away. But those who tend to the sick are of great service.

“Monks, I allow that the Saṅgha give the triple-robes and the bowl to those who tend to the sick.

“Whatever light [or inexpensive] goods and light requisites are there may be divided among the Saṅgha that is present.

“Whatever heavy [or expensive] goods and heavy requisites are there are for the Saṅgha of the four directions, both those who have come and those who haven’t.

“They should not be transferred, they should not be divided up.”

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