Lzh Mg Bi Pn 9Nine

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– RULES OF DISCIPLINE FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– ON THE FIRST PART OF THE MISCELLANEOUS RULES

ONE MUST WEAR A BREAST-CLOTH.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī, at that time there was a young and beautiful bhikkhunī whose breasts were leaking milk, and people who saw this laughed. The bhikkhunīs then brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One. When the Buddha finally questioned her, she replied:

—It is as said, Blessed One!

—From now on, a breast-cloth must be sewn. The method of sewing the breast-cloth is as described above. One should first put on the breast-cloth to cover the breasts before putting on any other robe. If anyone does not obtain a breast-cloth, she commits a Vaiduṣya offense. If she has one but does not wear it, she likewise commits a Vaiduṣya offense. This is called the breast-cloth (saṃkakṣikā).

When the Buddha was residing in Vaiśālī, as has been explained above in the causes and conditions concerning the bhikkhunī Bhaddrā. Then the Buddha instructed: "I do not permit bathing in the nude; one must wear a garment when bathing. Likewise, I do not permit entering rivers or lakes to bathe in the nude; one must wear a bathing garment when bathing. If anyone bathes in the nude, she commits a Vaiduṣya offense. However, if one is in a secluded place where there is no one present, bathing in the nude is not an offense. This is called the bathing garment."

Verse summary:

"The manner of sitting, sitting on a bamboo mat,

The waist-band and the skirt,

Wearing worldly attire,

Admitting those who wear worldly clothing.

Attendants and gardeners,

Obtaining the breast-cloth and the bathing garment.

End of the first part of the miscellaneous rules."

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH