Chapter 18

18.

Now at that time Bhikkhunîs wasted their time in the dining-hall, doubting as to which should take which seat.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that the senior eight Bhikkhunîs shall take their seats according to seniority, and the rest as they happen to come in.'

Now at that time Bhikkhunîs, on the ground that the Blessed One had so prescribed, let the eight senior Bhikkhunîs in every other place take

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exclusive possession (of the first eight seats), and the rest arranged themselves as they came in.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, as above, only in the case of the dining-hall. Everywhere else let there be no exclusive right to seats by seniority.'