________________
152
MAHÂVAGGA.
VII, 1, 5.
the following ñatti before the Samgha: “This Kathina-cloth has become the property of the Samgha. If the Samgha is ready, let the Samgha hand over the Kathina-cloth to such and such a Bhikkhu to spread out the Kathina. This is the satti. Let the Samgha, reverend Sirs, hear me. This Kathinacloth has become the property of the Samgha. The Samgha hands it over to such and such a Bhikkhu to spread out the Kathina. If the Samgha approves of the handing over of the Kathina to such and such a Bhikkhu for spreading it out, let it remain silent. The Samgha approves thereof. Therefore does it remain silent. Thus I understand 1."
5. Now thus, O Bhikkhus, has the Kathina ceremony been duly held; and thus has it not been duly held
1 This formula is one of those included in the collection entitled Kammavâkam. It appears from Minayeff (Prâtimoksha, pp. 75, 76) that the Bhikkhu so appointed superintends the processes of dyeing, sewing, &c. When the new robes are ready for wear, he lays aside one of his old robes which has been worn out (pakkuddharitvå), and chooses for himself one of the new ones (navam adhitthahitva), saying as he does so, 'imâya samghaliya (or, as the case may be, uttarâsangena, antaravâsakena) kathinam attharâmi.' This speech shows the technical application of the verb attharati in this connection. He then points out the remaining robes to the Bhikkhus there present, specifying which he thinks fit for the elder, and which for the younger members of the Order (Theras and Navakas); but not assigning further any particular robes to particular Bhikkhus. Finally he calls upon the Samgha for their formal approval of his procedure (compare the closing words of $8 5, 6). But when they have given it, the distribution is not at an end. The time has only come when each of the Bhikkhus can transmute his claim to an undivided share into the actual possession of a divided share. Until he does so, the Kathina privileges set out in $ 3 are allowed to him.
3 The formal permission to each Bhikkhu to take his share is
Digitized by
Digitized by Google