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372
KULLAVAGGA.
XI, 1, 2.
Come, Sirs, let us chant together the Dhamma and the Vinaya before what is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and what is Dhamma is put aside ; before what is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and what is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those who hold to the Dhamma become weak; before those who argue against the Vinaya become powerful, and those who hold to the Vinaya become weak !'
2. Let then the venerable Thera choose out Bhikkhus.'
Then the venerable Maha Kassapa chose out five hundred Arahats less one. And the Bhikkhus said to the venerable Maha Kassapa : 'Lord, this venerable one, Ananda, although he have not yet attained [to Nirvana), yet is he incapable of falling into error through partiality, or malice, or stupidity, or fear, and thoroughly have the Dhamma and the Vinaya been learnt by him from the Blessed One himself. Therefore let our Lord choose the venerable Ananda. And the venerable Maha Kassapa chose also the venerable Ananda.'
3. Then it occurred to the Thera Bhikkhus : 'In what place shall we now chant over together the Dhamma and the Vinaya ?' And it occurred to the Thera Bhikkhus: 'In Râgagaha is alms plentiful, and there is abundance of lodging-places. What, now, if we were to spend the rainy season at Râgagaha, and chant the Dhamma and the Vinaya together there : and if no other Bhikkhus were to go up to Râgagaha for the rainy season??'
4. Then the venerable Maha Kassapa laid the "This last was necessary, for if other Bhikkhus spent the Was at Râgagaha, either they must take part in the council, or its
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