Vinaya (1): The Patimokkha
by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 17,356 words
The Patimokkha is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, of all Buddhist text-books; and it has been inserted in its entirety into the first part of the Vinaya, the Vibhanga. The Patimokkha seems to have owed its existence to the ancient Indian custom of holding sacred two periods in each month, the times of the Full Moon and of the New Moon....
Chapter 9 - The Adhikarana-samatha Rules
Here, venerable Sirs, the seven rules regarding the settlement of cases come into recitation.
For the decision and settlement of cases as they from time to time arise, the Proceeding in presence[1] must be performed, or the Proceeding for the consciously innocent[2], or the Proceeding in the case of those who are no longer out of their mind[3], or the Proceeding on confession of guilt[4], or the Proceeding by majority of the chapter[5], or the Proceeding for the obstinate[6], or the Proceeding by covering over as with grass[7].
Venerable Sirs, the seven rules regarding the settlement of cases have been recited.
ln respect of them l ask the venerable ones, 'Are you pure in this matter?'
A second time I ask the venerable ones, 'Are you pure in this matter?'
A third time I ask the venerable ones, 'Are you pure in this matter?'
The venerable ones are pure herein. Therefore do they keep silence. Thus I understand.
Here endeth the recitation of the Adhikaraṇa-samathas.
Venerable Sirs! Recited is the Introduction.
Recited are the four Pārājika Rules.
Recited are the thirteen Saṃghādisesa Rules.
Recited are the two Aniyata Rules.
Recited are the thirty Nissaggiya-Pācittiya Rules.
Recited are the ninety-two Pācittiya Rules.
Recited are the four Pāṭidesaniya Rules.
Recited are the Sekhiya Rules.
Recited are the seven Adhikaraṇa-samatha Rules.
So much (of the words) of the Blessed One, handed down in the Suttas, embraced in the Suttas, comes into recitation every half month. It behoveth all to train themselves according thereto in concord, in pleasantness, without dispute!
Here endeth the recitation of the Pātimokkha for the use of the Bhikkhus.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Sammukhā-vinaya. See Cullavagga IV, 14, 16, and following.
[2]:
Sati-vinaya. See Cullavagga IV, 14, 27.
[3]:
Amūlha-vinaya. See Cullavagga IV, 5, and following, and IV, 14, 28.
[4]:
Paṭiññāya. See Cullavagga IV, 7, 8.
[5]:
Yebhuyyasikā. See Cullavagga IV, 9. and IV, 14, 34.
[6]:
Tassapāpiyyasikā. See Cullavagga IV, 11.
[7]:
Tinavatthāraka. See Cullavagga IV, 13.