Mv 4.2

Translated from the Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg

1. At. that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus, while the senior Bhikkhus were crouching down and were performing their Pavâranâ, remained on their seats. The moderate Bhikkhus were annoyed, murmured, and became angry: 'How can the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus remain on their seats, while the senior Bhikkhus crouch down, and perform their Pavâranâ?'

Those Bhikkhus told the thing to the Blessed One.

'Is it true, O Bhikkhus, that the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhus, &c.?'

'It is true, O Lord.'

Then the blessed Buddha rebuked them: 'How can these foolish men, O Bhikkhus, remain on their seats (&c., as above)? This will not do, O Bhikkhus, for converting the unconverted (&c., as in chap. 1, § 13).'

Having rebuked them and delivered a religious discourse, he thus addressed the Bhikkhus: 'Let no one, O Bhikkhus, remain on his seat, while the senior Bhikkhus crouch down, and perform their Pavâranâ. He who does, commits a dukkata. offence. I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that all of you crouch down while Pavâranâ is being performed.'

2. At that time a certain Bhikkhu weak from age, who waited crouching till all had finished their Pavâranâ, fell down fainting.

They told this thing to the Blessed One.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that (every Bhikkhu) crouches down the whole while till he has performed his Pavâranâ, and sits down on his seat when he has performed it.'