Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 110Letting the Time Expire

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 110

A. ORIGIN STORY

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the garden of Anāthapiṇḍika, in the Jeta Grove, in the land of Śrāvastī. At that time, the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs wished to formally conclude the kaṭhina robe. The group of six bhikkhunīs thought: "Now the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs is concluding the kaṭhina robe in accordance with the Dharma; we should obstruct the conclusion, so that the five privileges of relaxation may be prolonged." The bhikkhunīs became aware of the intention of the group of six bhikkhunīs to obstruct the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs from concluding the merit robe in accordance with the Dharma, in order to prolong the five privileges of relaxation.

Among the bhikkhunīs who heard of this, there were those of few desires and contentment, who practiced the ascetic disciplines, delighted in training in the precepts, and knew shame and remorse; they reproached the group of six bhikkhunīs: "Why do you have the intention of obstructing the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs from concluding the kaṭhina robe in accordance with the Dharma, in order to prolong the five privileges of relaxation?"

The bhikkhunīs went and reported the matter to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus went and reported it to the Buddha. The Buddha, on account of this cause and condition, assembled the Saṅgha of bhikkhus and rebuked the group of six bhikkhunīs:

"What you have done is wrong, not in accordance with proper conduct, not in accordance with the Dharma of renunciants, not in accordance with pure practice, not in accordance with proper behavior; it is something that should not be done. The Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs wished to conclude the kaṭhina robe in accordance with the Dharma — why did you obstruct the conclusion, in order to prolong the five privileges of relaxation?"

Having rebuked them with countless skillful means, the Buddha said to the bhikkhus:

"These bhikkhunīs are a field in which many defiled seeds are sown; they are the first to commit this offense. From this day forward, I shall lay down a rule for the bhikkhunīs, consisting of ten principles, up to and including the phrase 'so that the true Dharma may long endure.'"

The rule should be stated as follows:

Whatever bhikkhunī, with the intention of obstructing the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs from concluding the kaṭhina robe, in order to prolong the five privileges of relaxation — pācittiya.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE RULE

Bhikkhunī: as defined above.

Saṅgha: also as defined above.

Dharma: in accordance with the Dharma, in accordance with the Vinaya, in accordance with the Buddha's instructions.

Whatever bhikkhunī with the intention of obstructing the Saṅgha of bhikkhunīs from concluding the kaṭhina robe in accordance with the Dharma, in order to cause the five privileges of relaxation to be prolonged for a long time — if she speaks clearly: pācittiya; if she speaks unclearly: duṣkṛta.

For a bhikkhu: duṣkṛta. For a śikṣamāṇā, a śrāmaṇera, or a śrāmaṇerī: duṣkṛta. These are called offenses.

Non-offense: if the conclusion of the kaṭhina robe is untimely, or performed by an unlawful separate group, or an unlawful united assembly, or a lawful separate group, or a quasi-lawful separate group, or a quasi-lawful united assembly — not in accordance with the Dharma, not in accordance with the Vinaya, not in accordance with the Buddha's instructions. Or if, at the time of concluding the robe, one fears it may be lost or damaged, and therefore obstructs — there is no offense.

Those who do not commit an offense: the first offender at the time when the rule had not yet been laid down; one who is insane, of disturbed mind, or in extreme pain and distress.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka masters Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Revised and annotated: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

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

Buddhist Studies Publication Committee, 2002