Lzh Dg Bi Vb Np 8Excessive Prompting for Robe Funds

– FOUR-PART VINAYA

– NISSAGGIYA PĀCITTIYA

RULE 8

Should a bhikkhunī receive a messenger sent by a king, a high minister, a brahmin, a layman, or a laywoman, bearing robe funds for a bhikkhunī, with the instruction: "Bring this robe fund to the bhikkhunī of such-and-such name"—and should that messenger come to the bhikkhunī and say: "Venerable sister, this robe fund has been sent to you. Please accept it"—the bhikkhunī should say to the messenger: "I am not permitted to accept this robe fund.

When the proper time comes and a pure robe is needed, I will accept it." The messenger may then ask the bhikkhunī: "Does the venerable sister have a steward?" The bhikkhunī who needs a robe should say: "Yes," and indicate a monastery steward or an upāsikā, saying: "That is the steward of the bhikkhunī, who regularly acts as steward for the bhikkhunī." The messenger then goes to the steward, hands over the robe fund, and returns to the bhikkhunī, saying: "Venerable sister, I have delivered the robe fund to the steward you indicated.

Venerable sister, when you are in need, go to that person and you will receive a robe."

When the bhikkhunī needs a robe, she may go to the steward two or three times to remind that person, saying: "I need a robe"—two or three times in this way, as a reminder. If she receives the robe, well and good. If not, she may stand in silence before that person four, five, or six times.

If by standing in silence before that person four, five, or six times she receives the robe, well and good. If she does not receive the robe and yet continues to seek it beyond that limit, should she obtain a robe, it is a nissaggiya pācittiya. If she does not obtain a robe, she herself, or through another person, should go to the one who provided the robe fund and say: "You previously sent a messenger with a robe fund for the bhikkhunī of such-and-such name.

However, in the end that bhikkhunī did not receive a robe. You should come and reclaim the funds so that they are not lost." This is the proper course of action.

Vietnamese translation: Bhikkhu Thích Đỗng Minh and Thích Đức Thắng. FOUR-PART VINAYA, PART ONE

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka masters Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Revised and annotated: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

(Chinese translation, volumes 1–21; Vietnamese translation, volumes 1–2)

Buddhist Publication Committee, 2002