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MAHÂVAGGA.
III, 5, 1.
5. 1. And the Blessed One, after having resided at Râgagaha as long as he thought fit, went forth to Sâvatthi. Wandering from place to place he came to Sâvatthi. There, at Sâvatthi, the Blessed One dwelt in the Getavana, the garden of Anathapindika.
At that time an upâsaka (lay devotee) named Udena, in the Kosala country, had a Vihara built for the Samgha. He sent a messenger to the Bhikkhus (saying), Might their reverences come hither; I desire to bestow gifts (on the Samgha) and to hear the Dhamma and to see the Bhikkhus.'
2. The Bhikkhus replied: 'The Blessed One has prescribed, friend, that no one who has entered upon Vassa, may go on a journey before he has kept Vassa during the earlier or during the later three months. Let the upâsaka Udena wait so long as the Bhikkhus keep their Vassa residence; when they have finished Vassa, they will go. But if there is any urgent necessity, let him dedicate the Vihâra in presence of the Bhikkhus who reside there.'
3. The upâsaka Udena was annoyed, murmured, and became angry (saying), 'How can their reverences, when I send for them, refuse to come? I am a giver and a doer (of good works), and do service to the fraternity. Some Bhikkhus heard the upasaka Udena, who was annoyed, &c.
These Bhikkhus told the thing to the Blessed One.
4. In consequence of that the Blessed One, after having delivered a religious discourse, thus addressed the Bhikkhus:
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to go (even during
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