Lzh Dg Bu Vb Sk 84Not Stretch Feet Towards Stupa

– DHARMAGUPTAKA VINAYA

– ŚIKṢĀKARAṆĪYA

RULE 84

Once upon a time, the Buddha was dwelling in the land of Śrāvastī. At that time, the group of six bhikkhus sat stretching their feet toward the stupa.

The bhikkhus saw this, and among them were those of few desires and contentment, who lived the dhuta practices, were fond of training in the precepts, and knew shame and remorse. They reproached the 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 convene the assembly of bhikkhus and rebuked the group of six bhikkhus… up to the passage: "From this day forward, I shall lay down a rule for the bhikkhus comprising ten principles," and up to the passage: "so that the true Dharma may long endure."

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

One must not sit stretching one's feet toward the stupa. This is a śikṣākaraṇīya.

The Blessed One thus laid down this rule for the bhikkhus. Certain bhikkhus, being doubtful, did not dare to sit stretching their feet even at a distance from the stupa. The Buddha instructed:

"If there is an intervening distance, it is permitted."

From this day forward, the rule should be recited thus:

One must not sit stretching one's feet toward the stupa, except when there is an intervening distance. This is a śikṣākaraṇīya.

If a bhikkhu intentionally sits stretching his feet toward the stupa, he commits a duṣkṛta offense requiring confession. Because it is done intentionally, it constitutes a duṣkṛta offense of improper deportment. If it is done unintentionally, he commits a duṣkṛta offense.

For a bhikkhunī, and likewise for a śrāmaṇera, śrāmaṇerī: duṣkṛta. These are called offenses.

Non-offense: if one is afflicted with some illness, or if there is an intervening distance, or if one is taken by force, there is no offense.

Those who do not commit an offense: one who transgresses for the first time before the rule has been established; one who is insane; one whose mind is disturbed; one who is overcome by pain and distress.

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: Bhikkhu Thích Nguyên Chứng

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

Buddhist Publication Committee, 2002