Chapter 21

21.

Now at that time the Khabbaggiya Bhikkhunîs had themselves carried in vehicles to which cows were yoked with a bull between them ², or bulls were yoked with a cow between them. People were annoyed, murmured, and became indignant, saying: 'That is what is done at the feast of the Gaṅgâ, and the Mali ².'

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'A Bhikkhunî is not, O Bhikkhus, to be carried in a vehicle. Whosoever does so, shall be dealt with according to law ³.'

Now at that time a certain Bhikkhunî was sick, and unable to go on foot.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow the use of a carriage, O Bhikkhus, to a sick (Bhikkhunî) ⁴.'

p. 360

Now the Bhikkhunîs thought: 'Should the carts be yoked with cows or bulls?'

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, a cart yoked with cows or bulls, or drawn by hand ¹.'

Now at that time a certain Bhikkhunî was much distressed by the jolting of the cart.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, the use of a litter or sedan chair ².'

Footnotes

359:2 On all these expressions, see our notes above at Mahâvagga V, 9, 3, where they recur word for word.

359:3 This is the 85th Bhikkhunî Pâkittiya.

359:4 This is repeated from the 85th Bhikkhunî Pâkittiya. The corresponding permission is given to Bhikkhus by Mahâvagga V, 10, 2.

360:1 Hattha-vattakam. See the note on Mahâvagga V, 10, 3.

360:2 So also for Bhikkhus at Mahâvagga V, 10, 3.