Lzh Dg Bi Vb Ss 11Following a Schismatic

– FOUR-PART VINAYA

– SAṄGHĀDISESA

11. FOLLOWING ONE WHO CAUSES A SCHISM

Once, the Buddha was dwelling on Vulture Peak Mountain, at the city of Rājagaha. At that time, the Blessed One, on account of this matter, convened an assembly of the bhikkhu Saṅgha and addressed the bhikkhus:

"From this day forward, I shall establish a rule for the bhikkhunīs, comprising ten principles of meaning, up to and including the phrase 'for the long abiding of the true Dharma.'"

Wishing to recite the rule, it should be recited thus:

Whatever bhikkhunī has a faction—whether one, two, three, or any number. The bhikkhunīs of that faction say to the other bhikkhunīs: "Sisters, do not admonish that bhikkhunī. That bhikkhunī is one who speaks in accordance with the Dharma.

That bhikkhunī is one who speaks in accordance with the Vinaya. What that bhikkhunī says, we find pleasing. What that bhikkhunī says, we accept." The community of bhikkhunīs should say to those bhikkhunīs of that faction: "Sisters, do not speak thus: 'That bhikkhunī is one who speaks in accordance with the Dharma.

That bhikkhunī is one who speaks in accordance with the Vinaya. What that bhikkhunī says, we find pleasing. What that bhikkhunī says, we accept.' Why so?

What that bhikkhunī says is contrary to the Dharma and contrary to the Vinaya. Sisters, do not destroy the harmony of the Saṅgha. You should rejoice in the harmony of the Saṅgha.

Sisters, be in harmony with the Saṅgha, rejoicing, without dispute, training under one teacher, harmonious as water and milk; dwelling within the Buddha-Dharma, there will be growth and happiness." If those bhikkhunīs of the faction, having been admonished in this way, persist and do not desist, the community of bhikkhunīs should admonish them three times to abandon this matter. Up to three times of admonishment—if they desist, that is good.

If they do not desist, those bhikkhunīs commit three saṅghādisesa offenses, requiring relinquishment and acknowledgment.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka master Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Edited and annotated: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

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

Buddhist Studies Editorial Committee, 2002