四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 3.111

3.111

Question: If one takes the property of a deceased person outside the boundary to divide it, is it valid or not? Answer: The Dharmaguptaka Vinaya states: If the robes and property are difficult to divide, one should make a proclamation summoning them to come to a certain place at a certain time to divide them; whether they send someone or come in person, those entitled to a share should be given it. The various schools establish an offense and do not state that it is valid (in the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya, receiving robes according to the Dharma perhaps refers to sharing life and being of the same mind). The Daśādhyāya-vinaya states: If a bhikṣu entrusts robes and a bowl to a bhikṣuṇī, they should be demanded back and divided by bhikṣus; the same applies when a bhikṣuṇī entrusts property to a bhikṣu (this is not the same as the procedure for a layperson's house). Question: If one brings the property of a deceased person into the boundary and the bhikṣus within are unaware, and one takes it back out of the boundary, do those who saw it first obtain a share? Answer: They may receive it. Because those within the boundary were unaware, at the time of division they were of the same status under the Dharma.