Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 141Going to the Instruction

– FOUR-PART VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 141

A. ORIGIN STORY

At one time, the Bhagavā was dwelling in the garden of Anāthapiṇḍika, in the Jeta Grove, at the city of Śrāvastī. At that time, when the bhikṣuṇīs heard that the Blessed One had established a rule permitting the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha to go to the bhikṣu Saṅgha every half-month to request instruction, certain bhikṣuṇīs did not go to request instruction.

The bhikṣuṇīs 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 bhikṣuṇīs: "The Blessed One has established a rule permitting the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha to go to the bhikṣu Saṅgha every half-month to request instruction. Why do you not go to request instruction?"

The bhikṣuṇīs reported this to the bhikṣus. The bhikṣus went and reported it to the Blessed One. The Blessed One, on account of this matter, assembled the bhikṣu Saṅgha and rebuked the bhikṣuṇīs:

"What you have done is wrong, improper in conduct, not in accordance with the practice of a śramaṇa, not pure conduct, not befitting behavior—you have done what should not be done. Why do you not go to the bhikṣu Saṅgha to request instruction?"

Having rebuked them with many skillful means, the Buddha said to the bhikṣus:

"These bhikṣuṇīs are a field that produces many seeds of defilement; they are the first to commit this offense. From this day forward, I shall establish a rule for the bhikṣuṇīs, encompassing ten principles of meaning, up to and including the phrase 'for the long endurance of the true Dharma.'"

The rule to be proclaimed is as follows:

Whatever bhikṣuṇī, every half-month, does not go to the Saṅgha to request instruction: pācittiya.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE RULE

Bhikṣuṇī: as explained above.

The Blessed One has taught thus: "Every half-month, bhikṣuṇīs must go to the bhikṣu Saṅgha to request instruction. All bhikṣuṇīs are to go and request."

Because of the large number of people, this caused commotion. The Buddha taught: "They should not all go. Instead, a karmavācanā of one motion and two announcements should be performed to appoint one bhikṣuṇī to go on behalf of the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha every half-month to the bhikṣu Saṅgha to request instruction."

1. THE KARMAVĀCANĀ FOR APPOINTING ONE TO REQUEST INSTRUCTION

The appointment should be carried out as follows: Within the assembly, one who is capable of performing the karmavācanā should be appointed; based on the matter at hand, the motion is to be made.

"Venerable Bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha, please listen. If it is agreeable to the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha consents to appoint the bhikṣuṇī named…, on behalf of the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha, to go every half-month to the bhikṣu Saṅgha to request instruction. This is the motion.

"Venerable Bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha, please listen. The Saṅgha now appoints the bhikṣuṇī named…, on behalf of the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha, to go every half-month to the bhikṣu Saṅgha to request instruction. Those venerable ones who consent to the Saṅgha's appointing the bhikṣuṇī named…, on behalf of the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha, to go every half-month to the bhikṣu Saṅgha to request instruction should remain silent. Those who do not consent, please speak."

"The Saṅgha has consented and has appointed the bhikṣuṇī named…, on behalf of the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha, to go every half-month to the bhikṣu Saṅgha to request instruction. The Saṅgha consents; therefore remain silent. This matter is recorded thus."

2. THE PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING INSTRUCTION

A bhikṣuṇī going to the Saṅgha alone, without a guardian, creates a need for protection; therefore two or three bhikṣuṇīs are permitted to accompany her. Those bhikṣuṇīs should go to the great Saṅgha, reverently prostrate at the feet of the Saṅgha, then bow their heads, join their palms together, draw close, and declare:

"The bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha, assembled in harmony, reverently prostrates at the feet of the bhikṣu Saṅgha and requests instruction."

A second time and a third time, the same words are said.

At that time, the bhikṣuṇīs were waiting for the Saṅgha to finish reciting the precepts, but the time was too long; standing in waiting, they became weary. The Buddha taught: "They should not wait in this manner. They are permitted to entrust the reply to a senior bhikṣu and then return."

The Blessed One having permitted the entrusting of the reply, a certain bhikṣuṇī then entrusted the reply to a visiting bhikṣu. The Buddha taught: "One should not entrust the reply in this manner."

The bhikṣuṇīs entrusted the reply to someone about to depart on a long journey. The Buddha taught: "One should not entrust the reply in this manner."

The bhikṣuṇīs entrusted the reply to a sick person. The Buddha taught: "One should not entrust the reply in this manner."

The bhikṣuṇīs entrusted the reply to one who lacked wisdom. The Buddha taught: "One should not entrust the reply in this manner."

The bhikṣuṇīs entrusted the reply, but did not come the following morning to inquire. The Buddha taught: "One must come to inquire as to whether the Saṅgha has consented to give the instruction or not."

The bhikṣu should designate a day and time to come. The bhikṣuṇīs must go forth to receive him according to that arrangement. If a bhikṣu designates a day and time to come and give instruction but does not come: duṣkṛta. If a bhikṣuṇī does not go forth to receive him at the appointed time: duṣkṛta. When a bhikṣuṇī hears that the preceptor is coming, she must go out half a yojana to receive him. When the preceptor arrives at the monastery, she must provide him with the necessities, make arrangements for bathing, and prepare rice, porridge, soup, and fruit as offerings. If such offerings are not made: duṣkṛta.

In the case where the entire bhikṣu Saṅgha is ill, the bhikṣuṇīs should send a trustworthy person to pay respects and inquire after them. If there is a separate assembly, or the assembly is not in harmony, or the assembly is not complete, the bhikṣuṇīs should likewise send a trustworthy person to pay respects and inquire.

If the entire bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha is ill, they should likewise send a trustworthy person to pay respects and inquire. If there is a separate assembly, or the bhikṣuṇī assembly is not in harmony, or the assembly is not complete, the bhikṣuṇīs should likewise send a trustworthy person to pay respects and inquire. If they do not go to pay respects and inquire: duṣkṛta.

For a bhikṣu: duṣkṛta. These are called offenses.

Non-offense: going to the Saṅgha every half-month to request instruction; today conveying the request, and coming to inquire the following morning; the bhikṣu arriving on schedule, the bhikṣuṇī arriving at the appointed time; the bhikṣuṇī, upon hearing that the preceptor is coming, going out half a yojana to receive him; when the preceptor arrives at the monastery, providing water and bathing requisites, food, soup, porridge, and fruit as complete offerings; if the great Saṅgha is ill, sending a trustworthy person to pay respects and inquire; if there is a separate assembly, the assembly is not in harmony, or the assembly is not complete, likewise sending a trustworthy person to pay respects and inquire;

if the bhikṣuṇī Saṅgha is ill, or there is a separate assembly, the assembly is not in harmony, or the assembly is not complete, likewise sending a trustworthy person to pay respects and inquire; if the roads are obstructed, if there is danger from bandits, wild beasts, or flooding, or if one is seized by force, or bound and imprisoned, or if there is danger to life, or danger to the holy life.

In the case of such dangers, if one does not send a trustworthy person to inquire, there is no offense.

Those who do not commit offense: one who commits an act for the first time before the rule has been established; one who is insane, mentally deranged, or afflicted with severe pain.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka master Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Revised and annotated by: Bhikṣu Thích Nguyên Chứng

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

Buddhist Publications Committee, 2002