Lzh Dg Bu Vb Sk 73Not Take Corpse’s Robe by Stupa

– FOUR-PART VINAYA

– ŚIKṢĀKARAṆĪYA

RULE 73

At one time, the Buddha was dwelling in the Anāthapiṇḍika Garden, Jeta's Grove, in the country of Śrāvastī. At that time, the group of six bhikkhus carried robes and bedding of the deceased past beneath a stupa, causing the deity residing there to become angry.

The bhikkhus came to know of this, and among them were those who were of few desires, who were content, who practiced the ascetic virtues, who were fond of training in the precepts, who knew shame and remorse. They reproached the group of six bhikkhus, then went to the Blessed One, paid homage at his feet, sat to one side, and reported this matter to the Blessed One in full.

The Blessed One used this matter to assemble the Sangha of bhikkhus, and rebuked the group of six bhikkhus… as before, up to the words: "From this day forward, I shall lay down a rule for the bhikkhus, comprising ten principles, up to the words: so that the true Dharma may long endure."

The rule to be recited shall be stated as follows:

One must not carry the robes and bedding of a corpse past beneath a stupa — śikṣākaraṇīya.

The Blessed One thus laid down this rule for the bhikkhus. At that time, certain bhikkhus who wore rag-robes were uncertain and did not dare to carry such robes past beneath a stupa. The bhikkhus reported this to the Buddha, and the Buddha instructed:

"It is permitted to wash, dye, and perfume them before carrying them past."

From this day forward, the rule shall be stated as follows:

One must not carry the robes and bedding of the deceased past beneath a stupa, except when they have already been washed, dyed, and perfumed — śikṣākaraṇīya.

If a bhikkhu intentionally carries the rag-robe of a deceased person — without washing, without dyeing, without perfuming it — past beneath a stupa, he commits a duṣkṛta requiring confession. Because it is done with deliberate intent, he commits a duṣkṛta of improper conduct. If it is not done with deliberate intent, he commits a duṣkṛta.

Bhikkhunīs, and likewise novices male and female — duṣkṛta. This is called an offense.

Non-offense: if there is some form of illness, or if the robes have already been washed and dyed, there is no offense.

Those who are not offenders: one who offends for the first time before the rule has been laid down; one who is mentally disturbed; one whose mind is deranged; one who is afflicted with severe pain and distress.

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

Chinese translation: Tripiṭaka Buddhayaśas and Zhu Fonian.

Revised and annotated: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

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

Buddhist Publication Committee, 2002