Lzh Mg Bi Pn 26Twenty Six

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– ON THE BEGINNING SECTION OF MISCELLANEOUS RULES

IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO STRING GARLANDS FOR SALE.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī, after the Blessed One had laid down the rule prohibiting the planting of flowers, the bhikkhunīs from the Śākya and Malla clans began to string garlands to sell in order to support themselves. On account of this they were criticized by people of the world, who said: "These are not renunciants — they are girls who sell garlands."

The bhikkhunīs then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. In the end, the Buddha instructed: "Henceforth, I do not permit the stringing of garlands. Garlands include such kinds as: the Utpala flower garland, the Mālikā garland, and the Sumanā garland.

If anyone strings these kinds of garlands to sell in order to support themselves, they commit an offense of Vinaya transgression. However, if on the occasions of great assemblies commemorating the birth of the Buddha, the Buddha's attainment of enlightenment, the Turning of the Wheel of Dharma, the memorial for Ānanda, the memorial for Rāhula, or the great quinquennial assembly, a donor says: 'Noble One, please help me string these garlands,' then at that time one may string garlands without incurring an offense.

This is what is called the stringing of garlands."

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHĀBHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH