________________
BOOK II, LECTURE I, LESSON 10.
113
fellow-ascetics living in the neighbourhood, who follow the same rules of conduct, are agreeable and not to be shunned; as this would be sinful, they should not do so. Knowing this, they should go there and after consideration say: 'Olong-lived Sramanas ! this food, &c., is too much for me, eat it or drink it!' After these words the other might say: 'O longlived Sramana! we shall eat or drink as much of this food or drink as we require ; or, we require the whole, we shall eat or drink the whole.' (6)
A monk or a nun on a begging-tour should not accept food, &c., which for the sake of another has been put before the door, is the householder has not permitted him to do so, or he gives it him ; for such food, &c. But on the contrary he may accept it.
This is the whole duty, &c. Thus I say. (7)
TENTH LESSON. A single mendicant, having collected alms for many, might, without consulting his fellow-ascetics, give them to those whom he list; as this would be sinful, he should not do so. Taking the food, he should go there (where his teacher &c. is) and speak thus : 'Olong-lived Sramana! there are near or remote (spiritual) relations of mine : a teacher, a sub-teacher, a religious guide, a Sthavira, a head of a Gana, a Ganadhara, a founder of a Gana; forsooth, I shall give it them. The other may answer him : Well now, indeed, O long-lived one! give such a portion !' As much as the other commands, thus much he should give ; if the other commands the whole, he should give the whole. (1)
[22]
