Early Monastic Buddhism v1.c22.s6.1

v1.c22.s6.1

When the selected monks failed to settle a dispute, the matter was referred back to the *saṅgha*, which then proceeded to appoint one of the members possessing requisite qualifications as *salākāgāhāpaka*.³ The votes were then taken by means of *salākā* (marked sticks) and the will of the majority was accepted as just. As great responsibility rested on the *salākāgāhāpaka*, many rules had to be framed to guard any misuse of power by him. Such occasions were rare in the *saṅgha*; hence the question of majority or voting is not a subject that has been discussed at length in the *Vinaya Piṭaka*.