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56
KULLAVAGGA.
IV, 14, 26.
contented with the decision of the three Theras, discontented with the decision of the two Theras, discontented with the decision of the single Thera, went up to the place where the Blessed One was, and told the matter to the Blessed One.
This case, O Bhikkhus, is done with ; having been once settled, it is settled for good.
26?. 'I enjoin upon you, O Bhikkhus, three ways of taking votes, in order to appease such Bhikkhus ? —the secret method, the whispering method, and the open method.
"And how, O Bhikkhus, is the secret method of taking votes? The Bhikkhu who is the teller of the votes is to make the voting tickets of different colours, and as each Bhikkhu comes up to him he is to say to him thus: “This is the ticket for the man of such an opinion ; this the ticket for the man of such an opinion. Take whichever you like.” When he has chosen (he is to add), “Don't show it to anybody.” If he ascertains that those whose opinion is against the Dhamma are in the majority, he is to reject the vote as wrongly taken. If he ascertains that those whose opinion is in accordance with the Dhamma are in the majority, he is to report the vote as well taken. This, O Bhikkhus, is the secret method of taking the votes.
' And how, O Bhikkhus, is the whispering method of taking votes ? The Bhikkhu who is the teller of the votes is to whisper in each Bhikkhu's ear, “This is the ticket of those of such an opinion ; this is the ticket of those of such an opinion. Take whichever
i On the following section, compare chapters 9 and ro above. * On Saññattiyâ, see our note below on VII, 4, 1.
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