Sacred Texts Buddhism Index Previous Next
1. Now when the Blessed One had dwelt at Sâvatthi as long as he thought fit, he went on on his journey towards the Kitâ Hill with a great multitude of Bhikkhus--to wit, with about five hundred Bhikkhus, besides Sâriputta and Moggallâna.
And the Bhikkhus who were followers of Assagi and Punabbasu 1 hearing the news, said one to another, 'Come, Sirs; let us divide all the sleeping accommodation belonging to the Samgha. Sâriputta and Moggallâna are men of sinful desires, and are under the influence of sinful desires. We will not provide sleeping-places for them.' And they did so.
Now the Blessed One, proceeding on his journey, arrived at the Kitâ Hill. And he addressed a number of Bhikkhus, saying, 'Do you go, O Bhikkhus, to the followers of Assagi and Punabbasu, and say: "The Blessed One, Sirs, has arrived with a large number of Bhikkhus--to wit, with about five hundred Bhikkhus, besides Sâriputta and Moggallâna. Make ready sleeping-places, Sirs, for the Blessed One, and for the Bhikkhu-samgha, and for Sâriputta and Moggallâna."'
'Even so, Lord,' said those Bhikkhus in assent to the Blessed One and they did so.
'There is no sleeping accommodation belonging to the Samgha. We have divided it all' (was the reply). 'The Blessed One, Sirs, is welcome: and he may stay in whatever Vihâra he chooses. But Sâriputta and Moggallâna are men of sinful desires, and under the influence thereof; for them we will provide no sleeping-places.'
2. 'What then, Sirs? Have you divided sleeping accommodation that is the property of the Samgha?'
'That is so, Sirs.'
The moderate Bhikkhus murmured, &c. (down to) The Blessed One said to the Bhikkhus:
'These five things, O Bhikkhus, are unapportionable, and are not to be divided either by the Samgha, or by a Gana, or by an individual. If divided, the division is void; and whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a thullakkaya. And what are the five (&c., as in V I, 15, 2) 1?'
211:1 On these Bhikkhus and their relations with Sâriputta and Moggallâna, see above, Kullavagga I, 13-16.
212:1 These expressions 'untransferable' (avissaggiyâni) and 'unapportionable' (avebhaṅgiyâni) have already occurred above at Mahâvagga VIII, 27, 5.