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XII, 1, 10.. ON THE COUNCIL OF VESALI.
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Is the churn-license, Lord, allowable ?' . What, Sir, is this churn-license ?' 'Is it allowable, Lord, for one who has once finished his meal, and has refused any more, to drink milk not left over from the meal, on the ground that it has left the condition of milk, and has not yet reached the condition of curds: ?'
No, Sir, it is not allowable.' 'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink toddy?'
What, Sir, is this toddy?' 'Is it allowable, Lord, to drink spirits which have left the condition of not being spirits, and yet have not acquired intoxicating properties ? ?'
No, Sir, it is not allowable?' * Is a rug or mat (when it is beyond the prescribed size) lawful, Lord, because it is unfringed ?'
No, Sir, it is not allowable.' 'Is gold and silver, Lord, allowable ?'
No, Sir, it is not allowable.' *These are the ten theses, Lord, which these Vaggian Bhikkhus of Vesäli have put forth. Come, Lord, let us take this legal question in hand before that which is not Dhamma is spread abroad, and that which is Dhamma is put aside ; before that which is not Vinaya is spread abroad, and that which is Vinaya is put aside; before those who argue against the Dhamma become powerful, and those
lawful. Ekakko kappatî ti idam dhammikam akinnam sandhầya vuttam, says Buddhaghosa.
1 That is, which is neither liquid nor solid : something apparently like buttermilk.
It is a question constantly arising under the excise laws in India and Ceylon, whether the liquor in the case has become arrack, or is only arrack in the making, and unfermented. This last is called unfermented toddy.
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