Cullavagga - Eighth Khandhaka: Chapter 3

1. Now at that time Bhikkhus, about to leave, started without setting the wooden
articles and crockery in order, leaving doors and lattices open, and without
giving the sleeping-places in charge to any one. The wooden articles and
crockery were spoilt, and the sleeping-places were unprotected.
The moderate Bhikkhus murmured, etc. . . . . told the Blessed One, etc . . . .
(down to) He. said to the Bhikkhus: 'Therefore, O Bhikkhus, do I establish a
rule of conduct for Bhikkhus about to leave, according to which they ought to
behave.
2. 'A Bhikkhu about to leave should, O Bhikkhus, put the wooden articles and
earthenware in order, close the doorways and lattices, give the sleeping-places
in charge 1 (to some one, and only) then set out. If there be no Bhikkhu
remaining, a Sâmanera should be put in charge. If there be no Sâmanera
remaining, the attendant who keeps the grounds in order 2 should be put in
charge. If
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there be neither Bhikkhu, nor Sâmanera, nor Ârâmika, the bed frame should be
laid on four stones 1, the other bed frames put on the top of it, the chairs
should be put one on the top of the other, the bedding piled in a bundle on the
top, the wooden articles and the earthenware should be put away in order, and
the doorways and lattices should be closed 2, and then should be set out.
3. 'If the Vihâra leaks, it should be repaired if he can, or he should exert
himself to get the Vihâra roofed. If he should thus succeed, it is good. If not,
he should put the bed frame on four stones in that part of the Vihâra which does
not leak, and then put the other bed frame (&c., as in last paragraph, to the
end). If the whole of the Vihâra leaks, he should if he can take all the bedding
to the village, or should exert himself to get it taken there. If he should
succeed, it is good. If not, he should lay a bed frame on four stones in the
open air, put the others on the top of it, put the chairs one on another, pile
the bedding on the top, lay the wooden and earthenware utensils in order by
them, and cover the whole up with grass or leaves, so that at least the
principal articles of furniture might remain (uninjured) 3; and (only) then go
away.
This, O Bhikkhus, is the rule of conduct for
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[paragraph continues] Bhikkhus about to leave, according to which they should
behave themselves.'



Footnotes
282:1 Senâsanam âpukkhâ. Compare the Old Commentary on the 14th and 15th
Pâkittiyas. The lengthening of the last vowel in âpukkhâ is noteworthy.
282:2 Ârâmiko. In Mahâvagga VI, 15, the king wishing to present a man for this
purpose, it is there laid down that the Bhikkhus p. 283 may accept him; and at
Kullavagga VI, 21, 3, a superintendent of such slaves is mentioned as one of the
officials of the Order.
283:1 This is the usual method still adopted by native servants as a safeguard
against white ants, who would eat up into the legs of furniture left standing on
the ground.
283:2 This arrangement is referred to above at VIII, 1, 3.
283:3 Aṅgâni pi seseyyum. See Buddhaghosa's note as appended to the edition of
the text (p. 325).