Appendix 2 - A Study of the Ten Points (Dasavatthuni)

Context: “Some Vajjian monks of Vaisali (present Basrha village at Muzaffarpur district in Bihar) tried to have legal sanction to the ten unlawful points (Dasavatthuni)”.

The ten points of the Vajjian monks [viz., dasavatthuni] were the main cause of the convention of the second council. In Pali Cullavagga the ten points are described as follow:

1). Singiloṇa Kappa:—The practice of putting salt in a horn vessel in order to season unsalted food when received. This practice is contrary to Pācittiya 38 of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha which prohibits the storage of food.

2). Dvāṅgula Kappa:—The practice of taking mid-day meal, even after the prescribed time when the shadow (on the sun dial) is two fingers broad. It signifies that solid food might be taken not only uptill noon, but till the sun throws shadow two digits wide. This is against Pācittiya 37 which forbids the taking of food after midday.

3). Gāmantara Kappa:—The practice of going to another village and taking a second meal there in the same day being invited. It is opposed to Pācittiya 35 prevents a bhikkhu from taking second meal in the same day (offence of over eating).

4). Avāsa Kappa:—The observance of the ceremonies of Uposatha, Upasampada (ordination), desanā (confession), mānatta (imposition of punishment), abbhāna (reacceptance) etc, in various places in the same community. This practice breaks the Mahāvagga rules of residence in a parish. The Mahāvagga (11, 8,) mentions that all the Bhikkhus of the same monastery should hold one uposatha in the sīmā (parish) within the campus of the monastery.

5). Anumati Kappa:—Obtaining sanction for a deed after it is done. This also amounts to a breach of monastic discipline according to Mahāvagga (IX, 3, 5).

6). Āciṇṇa Kappa:—Using customary practices as precedents. The tradition followed by the Upājjhāya (teacher) may be taken as precedents and be accepted. This was then an excuse for relaxing the Vinaya discipline. This rule also breaks the monastic order as mentioned in the Mahāvagga (IX, 3,).

7). Amathita Kappa:—The practice of drinking butter, milk and liquid etc. which is not in a state of curd, after meal. This practice means a bhikkhu is allowed to take whey, liquid food after noon. This is in contravention of Pācittiya 35 which prohibits over eating.

8). Jalogiṃ pātuṃ:—The custom of drinking palm juice which has not yet become toddy or a strong drink. The practice is an infringement of pācittiya 51 which forbids the drinking of intoxicants (surā and meraya).

9). Adasakam-nisīdanaṃ:—The practice of using mats or rugs which has no fringe. This is contrary to pācittiya 89 which prohibits the use of borderless sheets.

10). Jātarūparajataṃ:—The practice of accepting gold and silver which is forbidden by rule of the Nisaggiya-pācittiya of the Bhikkhu Pātimokkha.