Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 139Ekato viśuddhā

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 139

A. ORIGIN STORY

At one time, the Bhagavān was dwelling in the Anāthapiṇḍika's Park, Jeta's Grove, in the country of Śrāvastī. At that time, the bhikṣuṇīs, having heard that the Blessed One had laid down a rule permitting the conferral of full ordination, proceeded to confer full ordination within the assembly of nuns; and then, only after a night had passed, they led the newly ordained to the assembly of bhikṣus to request full ordination. During that interval, those who had newly received ordination were in some cases blind, deaf, lame, or afflicted with various other ailments, bringing disgrace upon the Saṅgha.

The bhikṣuṇīs heard of this, and among them were those of few desires and contentment, who practiced the dhūta qualities, were fond of training in the precepts, and knew shame; they rebuked the bhikṣuṇīs, saying: "The Blessed One has laid down a rule for ordaining persons. How could you ordain those who are blind, foolish, deaf, lame, or afflicted with various other ailments, thereby bringing disgrace upon the Saṅgha?"

Having rebuked them, the nuns reported the matter to the bhikṣus. The bhikṣus went and reported it to the Blessed One. The Blessed One, on account of this cause and condition, convened the assembly of bhikṣus and rebuked the bhikṣuṇīs:

"You have done what is wrong, what is not proper conduct, what is not in accordance with the śramaṇa's way, what is not pure practice, what is not befitting behavior — you have done what ought not to be done. How could you ordain those who are blind, foolish, deaf, lame, or afflicted with various other ailments, thereby bringing disgrace upon the Saṅgha?"

Having rebuked them with countless means, the Buddha addressed the bhikṣus:

"These bhikṣuṇīs are a field that cultivates many seeds of the āsravas; they are the first to commit this offense. From this day forward, I shall lay down a rule for the bhikṣuṇīs, comprising ten principles of meaning, up to and including the phrase 'so that the true Dharma may long endure.'"

The rule should be stated thus:

Whatever bhikṣuṇī confers full ordination upon a person and then, after a night has passed, leads her to the assembly of bhikṣus to request full ordination — pācittiya.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE RULE

Bhikṣuṇī: as explained above.

A bhikṣuṇī should, on the very same day that full ordination is conferred, immediately lead the person to the assembly of bhikṣus to request full ordination. Whatever bhikṣuṇī confers full ordination and then, after a night has passed, leads the person to the assembly of bhikṣus to request full ordination — pācittiya. This is called an offense.

Non-offense: if, on the very same day that full ordination is conferred, she immediately leads the person to the assembly of bhikṣus to request full ordination. Or if she intends to lead the person to request full ordination but the newly ordained falls ill, or the road is obstructed, or there is a danger from wild animals, or from bandits, or from flooding, or if they are seized by force, or imprisoned, or if there is a danger to life or a danger to the holy life, so that it is impossible to lead the person to the assembly of bhikṣus on that day — there is no offense.

Those who are not offenders: one who commits the offense for the first time before the rule has been laid down; one who is insane, mentally disturbed, or overcome and oppressed by pain.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka master Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Revised and annotated: Bhikṣu Thích Nguyên Chứng.

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

Buddhist Studies Editorial Board, 2002.