Lzh Dg Bi Vb Pj 6Conceal Offenses

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– PĀRĀJIKA

6. THE EIGHT MATTERS

A. ORIGIN

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling in the garden of Anāthapiṇḍika, in the Jeta Grove, in the country of Śrāvastī. At that time, in the city of Śrāvastī, there was a householder named Sālu Mṛgāra, who was handsome in appearance. The bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā was also beautiful in appearance. The householder Mṛgāra set his mind upon Sthūlanandā, and Sthūlanandā likewise set her mind upon Mṛgāra.

The bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā, with a mind of desire, willingly allowed the householder to hold her hand, to hold her robe, to enter a secluded place together, to stand together, to speak together, to walk together, their bodies leaning against each other, and to make an appointment together.

The bhikkhunīs heard of this, and among them were those of few desires and contentment who practiced the dhuta practices, who delighted in training in the precepts, who knew shame and remorse, and they reproached the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā: "How could you, with a mind of desire, willingly allow the householder to hold your hand, to hold your robe, to enter a secluded place together, to stand together, to speak together, to walk together, your bodies leaning against each other, and to make an appointment together?"

The bhikkhunīs 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, assembled the community of bhikkhus and reprimanded Sthūlanandā:

"What you have done is wrong, not in accordance with proper conduct, not in accordance with the Dharma of a śramaṇa, not in accordance with pure conduct, not in accordance with harmonious behavior—it is something that should not be done. Bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā, how could you, with a mind of desire, willingly allow the householder to hold your hand, to hold your robe, to enter a secluded place together, to stand together, to speak together, to walk together, your bodies leaning against each other, and to make an appointment together?"

The Blessed One, having reprimanded Sthūlanandā with countless skillful means, then said to the bhikkhus:

"This Sthūlanandā is a field that has planted many seeds of the āsavas; she is the first person to commit this offense. From this day forth, I shall establish a rule for the bhikkhunīs, comprising ten principles of meaning, up to the phrase 'so that the true Dharma may long endure.'"

Wishing to set forth the rule, it should be stated thus:

Whatever bhikkhunī, with a defiled mind, knowing that a man has a defiled mind, willingly allows him to hold her hand or hold her robe, to enter a secluded place together, to stand together, to speak together, to walk together, their bodies leaning against each other, or to make an appointment—that bhikkhunī is one who has committed pārājika and is not permitted to live in the community. This is because she has committed the eight matters.

B. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE OFFENSE

Bhikkhunī: the meaning is as stated above.

Defiled mind: a mind with attachment.

A man with a defiled mind: he also has attachment.

Holding the hand: holding the palm up to the wrist.

Holding the robe: grasping the robe upon her body.

Entering a secluded place: far from where people can see or hear.

Standing together in a secluded place: standing where no one can see or hear.

Speaking together: also in a place where no one can see or hear.

Walking together: also in a place where no one can see or hear.

Bodies leaning against each other: this body leaning upon the other's body.

Making an appointment: arranging to meet at a place where sexual intercourse could take place.

If a bhikkhunī, with a defiled mind, willingly allows a man with a defiled mind to hold her hand, she commits a sthūlātyaya. Holding the robe—sthūlātyaya. Entering a secluded place together, standing together in a secluded place, speaking together in a secluded place, walking together in a secluded place, taking pleasure in these things, allowing their bodies to lean against each other—each and every one of these constitutes a sthūlātyaya.

If she commits any of these seven matters and does not confess and repent, so that the offense has not yet been cleared, and then commits the eighth matter, she commits a pārājika.

With the sons of devas, nāgas, asuras, yakṣas, hungry ghosts, or animals that are capable of assuming human form—committing each of the seven matters constitutes a duṣkṛta; committing the eighth matter constitutes a sthūlātyaya. With animals that are not capable of assuming human form, committing the eighth matter constitutes a duṣkṛta.

Committing the eighth matter together with a woman who has a defiled mind constitutes a duṣkṛta.

For a bhikkhu, the offense is determined according to his own rule. For a śikṣamāṇā, śrāmaṇera, or śrāmaṇerī—duṣkṛta. These are called offenses.

Non-offense: If there is something that needs to be passed or received, and during that time their hands touch; or if it is done in play; or if she must hold the robe in order to rescue someone; or if it involves making an offering, paying homage, confessing, or receiving the Dharma and they enter a secluded place and are in the same location; or if it involves making an offering, paying homage, confessing, or receiving the Dharma and they stand together in a secluded place; or if it involves making an offering, paying homage, confessing, or receiving the Dharma and they speak together in a secluded place; or if it involves making an offering, paying homage, confessing, or receiving the Dharma and they walk together in a secluded place;

or if she is struck by someone, or bandits arrive, or an elephant comes, or a fierce animal comes, or she encounters sharp thorns and turns her body to avoid them; or she goes to seek instruction, or to hear the Dharma, or to receive an invitation, or goes into a monastery; or they make an appointment at a place where no wrongdoing can be committed.

In all such cases there is no offense.

Those who do not commit an offense: one who commits the offense for the first time before the rule has been established; one who is insane, mentally disturbed, or tormented by extreme pain.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka master Buddhayaśas and Zhú Fóniàn.

Revised and annotated: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng.

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

Buddhist Publication Committee, 2002.