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IV, 5, 5.
THE PAVÂRANÂ CEREMONY.
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district on the day of Pavâranâ. Now these Bhikkhus thought: 'The Blessed One has prescribed that five Bhikkhus shall hold Pavâranâ in a (regular) chapter, and we are (only) four persons. Well, how are we to hold Pavâranâ ?'
They told this thing to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that four Bhikkhus should hold Pavâranâ with each other.
3. 'And let them hold Pavâranâ, O Bhikkhus, in this way: Let a learned, competent Bhikkhu proclaim the following ñatti before those Bhikkhus: “Hear me, Sirs. To-day is Pavâranâ day. If you are ready, Sirs, let us hold Pavâranâ with each other."
Then let the senior Bhikkhu adjust his upper robe, &c., and say to those Bhikkhus: “I pronounce my Pavâranâ, friends, before you, by what has been seen, or by what has been 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 Pavâranâ. Now these Bhikkhus thought : 'The Blessed One has prescribed that five Bhikkhus shall hold Pavâranâ in a (regular) chapter, that four Bhikkhus shall hold Pavâranâ with each other, and we are (only) three persons. Well, how are we to hold Pavâranâ ?'
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that three Bhikkhus should hold Pavâranâ with each other. And let them hold Pavâranâ (&c., see § 3).'
5. At that time two Bhikkhus dwelt in a certain
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