Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 131Under Twelve Years of Seniority

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 131

A. ORIGIN STORY

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the Anāthapiṇḍika Garden, Jeta's Grove, in the country of Śrāvastī. At that time, the bhikkhunīs heard that the Blessed One had established a rule permitting bhikkhunīs to go before the assembly of monks to request authorization to confer full ordination upon others. Newly ordained, junior bhikkhunīs also went before the assembly of monks to request authorization to confer full ordination upon others, and then were unable to provide proper training.

Because those ordained had not received proper training, they did not understand or observe proper deportment, wore their robes improperly, went on alms rounds in an unlawful manner, accepted impure food everywhere, or accepted impure food from bowls. At the time of the small meal and the main meal, they called out loudly, like the manner of a brāhmaṇa gathering!

The bhikkhunīs heard of this, and among them 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 those bhikkhunīs: "You heard that the Blessed One established a rule permitting one to ordain others. Why did you not know that you yourselves are newly ordained and of junior standing, yet you went and requested authorization to confer full ordination upon others, and then were unable to provide proper training? Because those ordained received no proper training, they do not understand or observe proper deportment, wear their robes improperly, … and at the time of the small meal and the main meal they call out loudly, like the manner of a brāhmaṇa gathering?"

After the bhikkhunīs had offered this rebuke, they reported the matter to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus went and informed the Blessed One. The Blessed One, on account of this matter, convened the assembly of bhikkhus and rebuked those bhikkhunīs:

"What you have done is wrong, not in accord with proper deportment, not in accord with the Dharma of a śramaṇa, not in accord with pure conduct, not in accord with proper behavior—this is something that should not have been done. Why, being newly ordained and of junior standing, did you request authorization to confer full ordination upon others, and then prove unable to provide proper training? Because those ordained received no proper training, they do not understand or observe proper deportment, wear their robes improperly, go on alms rounds in an unlawful manner, accept impure food everywhere, or accept impure food from bowls. At the time of the small meal and the main meal they call out loudly, like the manner of a brāhmaṇa gathering."

Having rebuked those bhikkhunīs with countless expedient means, the Blessed One said to the bhikkhus:

"These bhikkhunīs are a field in which many kinds of defiled seeds are planted; they are the first to commit this offense. From this day forward, I shall establish a rule for the bhikkhunīs, embodying ten principles of meaning, up to and including the clause on the long abiding of the true Dharma."

The rule should be proclaimed as follows:

Whatever bhikkhunī, whose seniority has not yet reached twelve years, confers full ordination upon another—pācittiya.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE RULE

Bhikkhunī: the meaning is as stated above.

If a bhikkhunī whose seniority is under twelve years confers full ordination upon another—pācittiya; or if one with under twelve years of seniority grants dependence to another, or takes under her care a sikṣamāṇā or śrāmaṇerikā—in all such cases, duṣkṛta. This is called an offense.

For a bhikkhu—duṣkṛta.

Non-offense: if one whose seniority is fully twelve years confers full ordination upon another; or grants dependence to another; or takes under her care a sikṣamāṇā or śrāmaṇerikā—there is no offense.

Those who do not commit an offense: one who commits the act for the first time before the rule has been established; one who is deranged, one whose mind is disturbed, one who is afflicted with pain, one who is compelled by force.

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, volumes 1–2)

Buddhist Studies Editorial Board, 2002