Mahavagga, Khandaka 4, Chapter 5

1. At that time five Bhikkhus dwelt in a certain district (or, in a certain residence of Bhikkhus) on the day of Pavāraṇā.

Now these Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed the holding of Pavāraṇā by the Saṃgha, and we are (only) five persons^[1]. Well, how are we to hold Pavāraṇā?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

“I prescribe,O Bhikkhus, that five Bhikkhus should . hold Pavāraṇā in a (regular) chapter^[2].”

2. At that time four Bhikkhus dwelt in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā. Now these Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that five Bhikkhus shall hold Pavāraṇā in a (regular) chapter, and we, are (only) four persons. Well, how are we to hold Pavāraṇā?'

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that four Bhikkhus should hold Pavāraṇā with each other.

3. 'And let them hold Pavāraṇā, O Bhikkhus, in this way: Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti hefore those Bhikkhus:

"Hear me, Sirs. To-day is Pavāraṇā day. If you are ready, Sirs, let us hold Pavāraṇā with each other."

'Then let the senior Bhikkhu adjust his upper rohe, &c., and say to those Bhikkhus: "I pronounce my Pavāraṇā, friends, hefore you, by what has heen seen, or by what has heen heard, or by what is suspected; may you speak to me, Sirs, out of compassion towards me; if I see (an offence), I will atone for it. And for the second time, &c.; and for the third time, &c."

“Then let each younger Bhikkhu, &c.”

4. At that time three Bhikkhus dwelt in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā. Now these Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescrihed that five Bhikkhus shail hold Pavāraṇā in a (regular) chapter, that four Bhikkhus shall hold Pavāraṇā with each other, and we are (only) three persons. Well, how are we to hold Pavāraṇā?'

“I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that three Bhikkhus should hold Pavāraṇā with each other. And let them hold Pavāraṇā (&c., see §.3).”

5. At that time two Bhiklthus dwelt in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā. Now these Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescrihed that five Bhikkhus, &c., that four Bhikkhus, &c., that three Bhikkhus, &c., and we are (only) two persons. Well, how are we to hold Pavāraṇā?'

'I prescrihe, O Bhikkhus, that two Bhikkhus should hold Pavāraṇā with each other.

6. 'And let them hold Pavāraṇā, O Bhikkhus, in this way: Let the senior Bhikkhu adjust his upper rohe, &c., and say to the junior Bhikkhu: "I pronounce my Pavāraṇā, friend, &c."

“Then let the junior Bhikkhu, &c.”

7. At that time there dwelt a single Bhikkhu in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā. Now this Bhikkhu thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that five Bhikkhus, &c., &c., and I am only one person. Well, how am I to hold Pavāraṇā?'

8. 'In case there dwell, O Bhikkhus, in a certain district on the day of Pavāraṇā, a single Bhikkhu: Let that Bhikkhu, O Bhikkhus, sweep the place which the Bhikkhus use to frequent,—the refectory, or hall, or place at the foot of a tree; let him (then) provide water and food, prepare seats, put a lamp there, and sit down. If other Bhikkhus come, let him hold Pavāraṇā with them; if they do not come, let him fix his mind upon the thought: "To-day is my Pavāraṇā." If he does not fix his mind upon this thought, he commits a dukkaṭa offence.

9. 'Now, O Bhikkhus, where five Bhikkhus dwell (together), they must not convey the Pavāraṇā^[3] of one (to their assemhly) and hold Pavāraṇā by four (as) in a (regular) chapter. If they do, they commit a dukkaṭa offence.

'Now, O Bhikkhus, where four Bhikkhus dwell (together), they must not convey the Pavāraṇā of one (to their assembly) and hold Pavāraṇā with each other by three. If they do, they commit a dukkaṭa offence.

'Now, O Bhikkhus, where three Bhikkhus (&c., as in the last clause).

“Now, O Bhikkhus, where two Bhikkhus dwen, one of them must not convey the Pavāraṇā of the other one, and fix (only) his thoughts (upon the Pavāraṇā). If he does, he commits a dukkaṭa offence.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

As a general rule five Bhikkhus were sufficient to form the quorum; but for the performance of several among the official acts of the Order the presence of more than five members was required; see IX, 4, 1 seq.

[2]:

See IX, 4, 1.

[3]:

See chap. 3, § 3. Compare II, chap. 22, and chap. 26, § 10.