Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pc 91Lying on the Same Sheet

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA

RULE 91

A. ORIGIN STORY

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the land of Vajjī. At that time, among the group of six bhikkhunīs, two of them lay down together on a single mattress, sharing a single blanket. Other bhikkhunīs saw them and thought they were lying with men. Only when they arose did the others realize they were not men.

The bhikkhunīs who heard of this, among whom were those of few wishes and contentment, who practiced the ascetic rules, who delighted in training in the precepts, and who had a sense of shame, reproached the group of six bhikkhunīs: "Why do the two of you lie down together on one mattress and share one blanket?"

The bhikkhunīs went and reported this to the bhikkhus. The bhikkhus went and reported it to the Blessed One. The Blessed One, on account of this matter, convened a gathering of the Bhikkhu Saṅgha and reproached the group of six bhikkhunīs:

"What you have done is wrong, unbecoming, not in accordance with the deportment of monastics, not in accordance with the Dharma of renunciants, not in accord with pure conduct, not in accord with proper behavior — it is something that should not be done. Why did two of you lie down together on one mattress and share one blanket?"

After reproaching the group of six bhikkhunīs by means of countless skillful means, the Blessed One said to the bhikkhus:

"This group of six bhikkhunīs is a field that cultivates many defiled seeds, and they are the first to commit this offense. From this day forward, I shall lay down a rule for the bhikkhunīs comprising ten principles of meaning, up to and including the phrase 'for the long abiding of the true Dharma.'"

The rule should be stated as follows:

Whatever bhikkhunī lies down together with another on a single mattress and a single blanket — pācittiya.

The Blessed One thus laid down this rule for the bhikkhunīs. There were bhikkhunīs who had only a single covering made of straw or grass, or of leaves; the bhikkhunīs, uncertain, did not dare to lie down together with others. The Buddha then instructed:

"I permit bhikkhunīs to have their own separate covering, sleeping mat, and blanket. If it is cold and there is only one blanket, it is permitted to share it, provided that each person wears an undergarment while lying down."

From this day forward the rule should be stated as follows:

Whatever bhikkhunī lies down together on one mattress and one blanket — pācittiya. Except in special circumstances.

B. ANALYSIS OF THE RULE

Bhikkhunī: as explained above.

When two bhikkhunīs lie down together on one mattress and share one blanket, an offense of pācittiya is incurred with each contact of the hip to the bedding; each time one turns over, one pācittiya offense is incurred. If they share a mattress but have separate blankets — dukkaṭa. If they share a blanket but have separate mattresses — dukkaṭa.

For a bhikkhu — dukkaṭa. For a sikkhāmānā, a sāmaṇera, a sāmaṇerī — dukkaṭa. These are called offenses.

Non-offense: if there is only a single covering of grass or leaves, and each person has a separate felt covering; or in cold weather, when lying under a single blanket, each person wears an undergarment; or if one faints from illness; or is taken by force; or in case of danger to life or danger to one's chastity — in all such cases there is no offense.

Those who do not commit an offense: the first offender before the rule was laid down; one who is insane, of deranged mind, or afflicted with severe pain.

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, volumes 1–21; Vietnamese translation, volumes 1 and 2)

Buddhist Publication Committee 2002