Book Title: Agama And Tripitaka Comparative Study
Author(s): Nagaraj Muni
Publisher: Today and Tomorrows Printers and Publishers

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Page 668
________________ 628 "The decision was placed before the assembly of monks and read out to all. The assembly gave its concent by remaining silent. Mahakāssapa repeated it for the second time and again for the third time. Then Mahākāssapa said, 'From the silence of the assembly, I take it that this assembly agrees that the monks named in the list are to spend the next monsoon at Rājagrha, that they will codify dharma and vinaya, and that other monks will not visit Rajagrha during this period. "As desired by the assembly, the senior monks arrived at Rājagrha for the codification of dharma and vinaya. They recollected the words of the Master: 'First, rearrange properly what is dilapidated and broken', and they decided, 'In the first month, we shall do this, and then from the second month onward, we shall start codification'. "Ananda thought, 'When so many learned monks are participating in the Council, it is not worthwhile for me to be there'. "He spent the greater part of the night in thinking like this. It was near dawn when he stretched his body with a view to have a nap. But before he could stretch his legs straight and place his head on the pillow, during this very brief span of time, he was suddenly liberated of all fetters and became on arhat. Thus the long-lived Ananda took his seat in the Council only after he became an arhat. "Addressing the Council, the long-lived Mahākassapa said, 'Abuses ! May I have your attention. If you kindly permit me, I may ask Upāli about Vinaya'.

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