Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 54Obstructions and a Novice

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 54

Whatever bhikkhunī, knowing that a novice nun has spoken thus: "I understand that, according to the Dharma taught by the Buddha, the practice of sexual intercourse is not a Dharma that obstructs the path" — those bhikkhunīs should admonish that novice nun, saying: "Do not speak in this way;

do not misrepresent the Blessed One — to misrepresent the Blessed One is not good. The Blessed One did not say such a thing. O novice nun, the Blessed One has declared through countless skillful means that sexual intercourse is a Dharma that obstructs the path, that engaging in sexual intercourse is a Dharma that obstructs the path." When admonished by those bhikkhunīs, if that novice nun persists and does not abandon this view, those bhikkhunīs should admonish her up to three times so that she may relinquish it.

If upon being admonished up to three times she abandons it, that is well; if she does not abandon it, those bhikkhunīs should say to that novice nun: "From this day forward you are not a disciple of the Buddha; you may not follow along with the other bhikkhunīs. Whereas other novice nuns are permitted to sleep two nights together with a bhikkhunī, this provision does not apply to you. Depart from this place — you may no longer reside here!" If a bhikkhunī, knowing that a novice nun has been expelled in this manner, takes her in, supports her, or sleeps in the same dwelling with her: pācittiya.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka master Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Revised and annotated: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

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

Buddhist Publication Committee, 2002