Text of Confucianism Part 02

SR No.: 007676
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: James Legge
Publisher: Oxford
Publication Year: 1882
Total Pages: 2405
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 43 MB

Page 645

VII, 1, 4.
THE KATHINA CEREMONIES.
151
for alms without wearing the usual set of three robes ', going for alms in a body of four or more ?, possessing as many robes as are wanted ®, and whatever number of robes shall have come to hand, that shall belong to them (that is, to the Bhikkhus entitled, by residence and otherwise, to share in the distribution).
"And thus, O Bhikkhus, is the Kathina to be dedicated.
4. 'Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim
* This privilege is granted as a relaxation of the and Nissaggiya. Buddhaghosa says, 'Asamâdâna-karo'tit nam kivara-vippavâso kappissatiti attho.' Compare Mahâvagga VIII, 23, 3. It will be seen that the wording of the Pâtimokkha Rule is not inconsistent with the rule laid down here.
This is a relaxation of the 3and Pakittiya, and is mentioned in that rule.
8 This would seem to be a relaxation of the 1st Pakittiya. Though it is not referred to there in terms, it is implied in the clause by which the operation of the rule is postponed till after the Kathina has been 'taken up,' i. e. till each Bhikkhu has actually received his share, or otherwise lost his claim to it. Till that has taken place, a Bhikkhu may use (temporarily, and without actually appropriating them) as many robes as he likes. B. says, 'Yâvadattha-kîvaran ti yâvata kivarena attho tâvatakam anadhitthitam avikappitam (compare Sutta-vibhanga Niss. I, 3, 1) kappissatîti attho.'
• That is, according to Buddhaghosa, either those belonging to a Bhikkhu who has died, or those belonging to the Samgha in any way. This shows that at the division not only the robes made out of the gift of a Kathina were to be included, but whatever robes had not been given as intended specially for some one Bhikkhu. As to the actual practice now in Ceylon, compare Spence Hardy, loc. cit. Buddhaghosa says here: 'Yo ka tattha kivar-uppado tattha kathinatthata - simaya mataka-kivaram va hotu samgham uddissa dinnam và sangbikena tat uppudena abhatam vì yena kenaki âkârena yam samghikam kivaram uppaggati tam tesam bhavissatiti attho.' The use of the pronoun nesam at the end of the rule is awkward, following after vo; but the meaning as translated is not open to doubt,
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