Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 140Instruction

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 140

A. ORIGIN STORY

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the garden of Anāthapiṇḍika, in the Jeta Grove, at Sāvatthī. At that time, on the day of instruction, the bhikkhunīs did not come to request instruction.

The bhikkhunīs heard of this; among them were those who were of few desires, who were content, who lived the austere practices, who delighted in training in the precepts, who knew shame and remorse. They rebuked the bhikkhunīs, saying: "On the day of instruction, why did you not go to request instruction?"

The bhikkhunīs went and reported the matter to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus went and reported it to the Blessed One. The Blessed One, on account of this cause and condition, convened an assembly of bhikkhus and rebuked the bhikkhunīs:

"You have done what is wrong, what is not proper conduct, what is not in accordance with the practice of a renunciant, what is not pure conduct, what is not fitting behavior — you have done what ought not to be done. On the day of instruction, why did you not come before the Sangha to request instruction?"

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

"These bhikkhunīs are a field that cultivates many seeds of the taints — they are the first to commit this offense. From now on, I shall lay down a rule for the bhikkhunīs, comprising ten principles of meaning, up to and including the phrase 'for the long endurance of the true Dharma.'"

The rule should be stated thus:

Whatever bhikkhunī, on the day of instruction, does not come to request instruction, that is a pācittiya.

The Blessed One laid down this rule for the bhikkhunīs in this way. At that time, some bhikkhunīs had duties related to the Buddha, the Dharma, the Sangha, or were occupied with caring for the sick. The Buddha instructed:

"I permit sending a message."

From now on, the rule should be stated thus:

Whatever bhikkhunī, not being ill, does not come to request instruction, that is a pācittiya.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE RULE

Bhikkhunī: as explained above.

A bhikkhunī who does not come to request instruction: pācittiya. Except in special circumstances.

A bhikkhu: dukkaṭa. This is called an offense.

Non-offense: if, on the day of instruction, she comes to request instruction; or if she is occupied with duties related to the Buddha, the Dharma, or the Sangha; and if one who is caring for the sick sends a message — there is no offense.

Those who do not commit an offense: one who commits the first offense before the rule has been formulated; one who is mad, one whose mind is disturbed, one who is afflicted with pain, one who is under duress.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka Master Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Edited and annotated: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

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

Buddhist Publication Committee, 2002