1. Now at that time the Bhikkhus were fully provided with the three robes, but they had need of water-strainers 1 and of bags (to carry their bowls and other things in) 2.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, pieces of cloth requisite (for those purposes).'
2. Then it occurred to the Bhikkhus: 'The things allowed by the Blessed One--the three robes, and the robes for the rainy season, and the mat, and the bed-covering, and the cloth to cover boils &c. with, and to wipe the face with, and required (for water-strainers and bags)--are all these things things which ought to be kept to ourselves 3, or things which ought to be handed over 4 (from time to time by one Bhikkhu to another)?'
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow you, O Bhikkhus, to keep in hand the three robes, and not to assign them--to keep to yourselves the robes for the rainy season during the four months of the rains, but beyond that time to hand them over--to keep to yourselves the mats and the bed coverings, and not to hand them over--to keep to yourselves the coverings for the itch &c. while the disease lasts, but beyond that time to
hand them over--to keep to yourselves the cloths to wipe the face with, and those required for water-strainers and bags, and not to hand them over.'
229:1 Compare Kullavagga VI, 13.
229:2 Compare the passages given in the index to the text of the Kullavagga, p. 355, s.v. thavikâ.
229:3 Compare below, VIII, 24, 3.
229:4 Compare above, VIII, 8, 3.