Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 150Scents and Colors

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 150

A. ORIGIN STORY

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the garden of Anāthapiṇḍika, in the Jeta Grove, at the city of Śrāvastī. At that time, the group of six bhikkhunīs applied scented powder to their bodies. The laypeople who saw this all criticized them: "These bhikkhunīs have no sense of shame or remorse; they engage in impure conduct. Outwardly they claim to know the true Dharma. But what kind of true Dharma is this? Applying scented powder to their bodies — they are no different from prostitutes and licentious women!"

The bhikkhunīs heard this, and among them were those of few desires and contentment, who practiced the dhūta qualities, who delighted in training in the precepts, and who had a sense of shame and remorse. They reproached the group of six bhikkhunīs: "Why do you apply various kinds of scented powder to your bodies?"

The bhikkhunīs then 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 community of bhikkhus and reprimanded the group of six bhikkhunīs:

"What you have done is wrong — it is not proper conduct, not the practice of a śramaṇa, not pure conduct, not behavior in accordance with the Dharma; it is something that should not be done. Why do you apply various kinds of scented powder to your bodies?"

Having reprimanded them with countless expedient means, the Buddha said to the bhikkhus:

"These six bhikkhunīs are a field for planting many seeds of the āsavas; they are the first to commit this offense. From this day forward, I shall lay down a precept for the bhikkhunīs, for ten purposes, up to and including the purpose that the true Dharma may long endure."

The precept should be stated as follows:

Whatever bhikkhunī applies scented powder to her body — pācittiya.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE PRECEPT

Bhikkhunī: as defined above.

Whatever bhikkhunī applies scented powder to her body — pācittiya.

For a bhikkhu, it is a dukkaṭa. For a sikkhāmānā, a śrāmaṇera, or a śrāmaṇerī, it is a dukkaṭa. This is called an offense.

Non-offense: If she does so on account of some illness, or if she is compelled by force — in all such cases there is no offense.

Those who do not commit an offense: one who commits the act before the precept has been promulgated; one who is insane, of confused mind, or overwhelmed by 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 by: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng.

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

Buddhist Publication Committee, 2002.