[167] Now at that time two bhikkhus were traveling along the highroad in the Kosalan country. They came to a certain dwelling-place. There a certain bhikkhu was sick. Then it occurred to those bhikkhus: "Friends, the tending of the sick has been praised by the Blessed One. Come, friends, let us tend this bhikkhu." They tended him. While being tended by them, he died. Then those bhikkhus, taking that bhikkhu's bowl and robes, went to Sāvatthī and reported this matter to the Blessed One.
"Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu has died, the Saṅgha is the owner of his bowl and robes. But those who tended the sick (gilānupaṭṭhāka) are of great service. I allow, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha to give the triple robe and the bowl to those who tended the sick. And thus, bhikkhus, should they be given: The bhikkhu who tended the sick should approach the Saṅgha and speak thus: 'Venerable sirs, the bhikkhu named so-and-so has died; this is his triple robe and bowl.' The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu:
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The bhikkhu named so-and-so has died; this is his triple robe and bowl. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha (yadi saṅghassa pattakallaṃ), let the Saṅgha give this triple robe and bowl to those who tended the sick. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The bhikkhu named so-and-so has died; this is his triple robe and bowl. The Saṅgha gives this triple robe and bowl to those who tended the sick. Whichever venerable one approves of the giving of this triple robe and bowl to those who tended the sick, let him be silent; whoever does not approve, let him speak.
"'This triple robe and bowl have been given by the Saṅgha to those who tended the sick. It is approved by the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
Now at that time a certain novice (sāmaṇera) had died. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, when a novice has died, the Saṅgha is the owner of his bowl and robes. But those who tended the sick are of great service. I allow, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha to give the robe and the bowl to those who tended the sick. And thus, bhikkhus, should they be given: The bhikkhu who tended the sick should approach the Saṅgha and speak thus: 'Venerable sirs, the novice named so-and-so has died; this is his robe and bowl.' The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu:
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The novice named so-and-so has died; this is his robe and bowl. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, let the Saṅgha give this robe and bowl to those who tended the sick. This is the motion.
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The novice named so-and-so has died; this is his robe and bowl. The Saṅgha gives this robe and bowl to those who tended the sick. Whichever venerable one approves of the giving of this robe and bowl to those who tended the sick, let him be silent; whoever does not approve, let him speak.
"'This robe and bowl have been given by the Saṅgha to those who tended the sick. It is approved by the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu and a novice tended one who was sick. While being tended by them, he died. Then it occurred to that bhikkhu who had tended the sick: "How now should a share of the robes be given to the novice who tended the sick?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, bhikkhus, an equal share to be given to a novice who tended the sick."
Now at that time a certain bhikkhu with many goods and many requisites died. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu has died, the Saṅgha is the owner of his bowl and robes; but those who tended the sick are of great service. I allow, bhikkhus, the Saṅgha to give the triple robe and the bowl to those who tended the sick; whatever light goods (lahubhaṇḍa) and light requisites there are among them are to be divided by the Saṅgha that is present; whatever heavy goods (garubhaṇḍa) and heavy requisites there are among them belong to the Saṅgha of the four quarters, both those come and those yet to come — not to be given away, not to be divided."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.