..续本文上一页say to that messenger, `We do not accept money for buying a robe, we accept robes if they are offered at an appropriate time and if they are allowable.´

　　If then that messenger should ask, `Venerable Sir, is there anyone who performs services for you

　　´ Then if that bhikkhu wants a robe he should point out someone who performs services for him be he a monastery attendant or a layperson saying, `Such and such performs services for bhikkhus.´

　　If that messenger having instructed that person who performs services should then approach that bhikkhu and say, `That person who you pointed out has been instructed by me. Venerable Sir, approach him at an appropriate time and he will offer you a robe.´ Then a bhikkhu who wants a robe having approached that person who performs services can ask or remind him two or three times saying, `I need a robe.´

　　If having asked or reminded two or three times he obtains that robe then that is good. If he should not obtain it then he can stand silently for four, five, or six times in order to obtain that robe. If having stood silently for four, five, or six times he obtains that robe then that is good. If he should make any more effort than this and he obtains that robe then it is a nissaggiya pacittiya offense.

　　If he does not obtain that robe then he should go himself or he should send a messenger to that person who sent that money for buying a robe and say, `That money for buying a robe for a bhikkhu that you sent has produced nothing at all for that bhikkhu, try to get your money returned to you lest your money be lost.´ This is what should be done.

　　Part 2. The Fault in Accepting Money

　　Before he passed away the Buddha said that after his death the sangha, if it wanted to, could revoke the lesser and minor rules of the Vinaya. Some bhikkhus quote this as a reason to support their acceptance of money, but the following quotes from the suttas show that the rules prohibiting money are not lesser or minor rules. The money rules are shown by these quotes to be fundamental and essential for the attainment of enlightenment. Maniculaka Sutta (Samyutta Nikaya, Salayatana Samyutta, Gamani Vagga, sutta no. 10):

　　At one time, the Blessed One was living in Rajagaha in the place where squirrels and birds were fed called Veluvana. At that time in the king´s palace, the king´s retinue were assembled and whilst assembled this conversation arose amongst them:

　　`Gold, silver, and money are allowable for those monks who are the sons of the Sakyan prince (the Buddha). Those monks who are the sons of the Sakyan prince consent to gold, silver, and money. Those monks who are the sons of the Sakyan prince accept gold, silver, and money.´

　　Then at that time Maniculaka the village headman was sitting present in that assembly and he spoke to that assembly saying:

　　`Good sirs, do not say that. Gold, silver, and money are not allowable for those monks who are sons of the Sakyan prince. Those monks who are the sons of the Sakyan prince do not consent to gold, silver, or money. Those monks who are the sons of the Sakyan prince do not accept gold, silver, and money. Those monks who are the sons of the Sakyan prince have renounced gold and gems and are without money.´

　　But Maniculaka the village headman was unable to convince that assembly.

　　Then Maniculaka the village headman went to the Blessed One, and having approached the Blessed One bowed to him and sat down at one side. While sitting at one side Maniculaka the village headman said to the Blessed One:

　　`Venerable Sir, in the king´s palace the king´s retinue were assembled... (He repeated all that had been said above.)... But Venerable Sir, I was not able to convince that assembly.

　　`Venerable Sir, by th…

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