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, &c. . . . . told the Blessed One, &c . . . . (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
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
[paragraph continues] Bhikkhus about to leave, according to which they should behave themselves.'
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).