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II, 19. UPOSATHA CEREMONY, AND PÂTIMOKKHA.
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They told this thing to the Blessed One. 'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you learn how to count (the days of the half month.'
2. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'Who ought to learn to count (the days of) the half month ?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you learn all of you to count (the days of) the half month.
3. At that time the people asked the Bhikkhus who went about for alms : 'How many Bhikkhus are there, reverend Sirs?' The Bhikkhus replied: We do not know, friends.' The people were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'Those Sakyaputtiya Samanas do not even know each other; what good things else will they know?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One. 'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you count the Bhikkhus.
4. Now the Bhikkhus thought: 'At what time ought we to count the Bhikkhus?' They told this thing to the Blessed One.
I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that you count (the Bhikkhus) on the day of Uposatha, either by way of (counting the single) troops (of which the assembly is composed)", or that you take (each of you) a ticket (and count those tickets).'
19.
At that time Bhikkhus who did not know that it was Uposatha day, went for alms to a distant village.
1 This appears to be the meaning of ganamaggena ganetum ; Buddhaghosa has no note on this passage.
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