[251] Now at that time several bhikkhus (bhikkhū) who were well acquainted and intimate with one another entered the rains residence in a certain dwelling place in the Kosalan country. As they dwelt in concord, in mutual delight, without dispute, a certain comfortable abiding was attained by them. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "While we have been dwelling in concord, in mutual delight, without dispute, a certain comfortable abiding has been attained by us. If we should now hold the invitation (pavāraṇā), it may be that bhikkhus, having given the invitation, would set out on tour; thus we would be excluded from this comfortable abiding. How, then, should we proceed?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Bhikkhus, here several bhikkhus who are well acquainted and intimate with one another enter the rains residence in a certain dwelling place. As they dwell in concord, in mutual delight, without dispute, a certain comfortable abiding is attained by them. If it occurs to the bhikkhus there: 'While we have been dwelling in concord, in mutual delight, without dispute, a certain comfortable abiding has been attained by us. If we should now hold the invitation, it may be that bhikkhus, having given the invitation, would set out on tour; thus we would be excluded from this comfortable abiding'—I allow, bhikkhus, those bhikkhus to make an extension of the invitation (pavāraṇāsaṅgaha).
"And, bhikkhus, it should be made in this way. All should assemble together in one place. Having assembled, the Sangha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu:
"'Venerable sirs, let the Sangha hear me. While we have been dwelling in concord, in mutual delight, without dispute, a certain comfortable abiding has been attained by us. If we should now hold the invitation, it may be that bhikkhus, having given the invitation, would set out on tour; thus we would be excluded from this comfortable abiding. If it is the right time for the Sangha, let the Sangha make an extension of the invitation: let it now hold the uposatha and recite the Pātimokkha, and let it hold the invitation on the coming [1] Komudī, the full-moon day of the fourth month. This is the motion.
"'Venerable sirs, let the Sangha hear me. While we have been dwelling in concord, in mutual delight, without dispute, a certain comfortable abiding has been attained by us. If we should now hold the invitation, it may be that bhikkhus, having given the invitation, would set out on tour; thus we would be excluded from this comfortable abiding. The Sangha makes an extension of the invitation: it will now hold the uposatha and recite the Pātimokkha, and it will hold the invitation on the coming Komudī, the full-moon day of the fourth month. Whichever venerable one approves of the making of the extension of the invitation—that it will now hold the uposatha and recite the Pātimokkha, and will hold the invitation on the coming Komudī, the full-moon day of the fourth month—let him be silent; whoever does not approve should speak.
"'The extension of the invitation has been made by the Sangha: it will now hold the uposatha and recite the Pātimokkha, and it will hold the invitation on the coming Komudī, the full-moon day of the fourth month. It is approved by the Sangha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'
"If, bhikkhus, when the extension of the invitation has been made by those bhikkhus, a certain bhikkhu should speak thus: 'Friends, I wish to set out on tour through the country; I have business in the country,' he should be told: 'Good, friend; give the invitation and then go.' If, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu, while giving the invitation, suspends the invitation of a certain bhikkhu, he should be told: 'You are not master over my invitation, friend; I shall not give the invitation just yet.' If, bhikkhus, while that bhikkhu is giving the invitation, a certain bhikkhu suspends that bhikkhu's invitation, both should be examined and cross-questioned by the Sangha and dealt with according to the rule.
"If, bhikkhus, that bhikkhu, having concluded that business in the country, returns to that dwelling place before the Komudī, the full-moon day of the fourth month, and if, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are holding the invitation, a certain bhikkhu suspends that bhikkhu's invitation, he should be told: 'You are not master over my invitation, friend; I have already given the invitation.' And if, bhikkhus, while those bhikkhus are holding the invitation, that bhikkhu suspends the invitation of a certain bhikkhu, both should be examined and cross-questioned by the Sangha and dealt with according to the rule, and then the Sangha should hold the invitation."
The Pavāraṇākkhandhaka, the fourth, is finished.
In this khandhaka there are forty-six cases.
_________
Its summary (uddāna):
[1] Siam Raṭṭha footnote: the Burmese edition reads *juṇhe* ("on the bright fortnight") for *āgame* ("coming"); similarly below.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.