Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 11Exchanging Saṅgha Property

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– CONCLUSION OF THE SAṄGHĀDISESA PRECEPTS.

11. PRECEPT: SOLICITING FUNDS FOR BEDS AND THEN PURCHASING OTHER THINGS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī, at that time the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā was living in a village and went about soliciting funds to acquire beds, mattresses, pillows, and bolsters for the Saṅgha, saying to the women: "O Upāsikās, you should donate funds for beds, mattresses, pillows, and bolsters for the Saṅgha." At that time, those women, being faithful and joyful, donated money for the purchase of beds, mattresses, pillows, and bolsters.

Having received the money, she then used it to buy robes, bowls, food and drink, and medicine. When bhikkhunīs went on their alms round in turn and came to those households, the women asked: "Venerable one, I donated funds for beds, mattresses, pillows, and bolsters to the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā — has she purchased them yet?" The bhikkhunī replied: "She has not purchased any such things! One only sees that she bought robes, bowls, food and drink, and medicine!"

The bhikkhunīs, upon hearing this, reported it to Mahāprajāpatī. Mahāprajāpatī then brought the matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha then ordered the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā to be summoned. When she arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Is it true that you solicited funds for beds, mattresses, pillows, and bolsters, and then used them to purchase other things?

—It is true, Blessed One!

—That is a wrongful act. Have you not heard me, through countless skillful means, reproach great desire and praise the having of few desires? Why have you done such a wrongful and unwholesome thing? This is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, and does not accord with my teaching; it cannot be used to nurture wholesome qualities. From this time forward, I do not permit soliciting funds for beds and mattresses and then using them to purchase other things.

Thereupon, the Buddha instructed Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī to convey the order that all bhikkhunīs residing in the city of Śrāvastī were to assemble together, and that even those who had already heard it must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī solicits funds for beds and mattresses and uses them to purchase robes and bowls, food and drink, or medicine, she commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pāyattika.

EXPLANATION:

Beds, mattresses, pillows, and bolsters: As has been explained in detail in the preceding precepts for bhikkhus.

Soliciting: Going about entreating and requesting. (If one solicits for the purchase of beds and mattresses) and then uses those funds to purchase robes and bowls, food and drink, or medicine, one commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pāyattika.

Niḥsargika-pāyattika: The item in question should be relinquished before the Saṅgha, and then one confesses the pāyattika offense. If one confesses without relinquishing, one commits an offense of transgressing the Vinaya (Vinayātikrama).

Pāyattika: As has been explained in the precepts for bhikkhus.

If a bhikkhunī solicits funds for beds and mattresses and uses them to purchase robes and bowls, food and drink, or medicine, she commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pāyattika. If one has solicited for the purchase of one thing, one may not use the funds to purchase another thing. If one solicits for the purchase of a bed and instead buys a mattress, solicits for a mattress and instead buys a pillow, or solicits for a pillow and instead buys a bolster, one commits an offense of transgressing the Vinaya.

If one goes about soliciting and obtains a large sum of money for beds and mattresses, one must make known to each person separately: this portion is money for a bed, this portion is money for a mattress, this portion is money for a pillow, this portion is money for a bolster. If one does not do so, each portion incurs a separate offense of transgressing the Vinaya. However, it is permissible to use the aforementioned funds to repair rooms and to purchase pots and pans — this remains in accordance with the Dharma.

If a bhikkhunī solicits funds for beds and mattresses and uses them to purchase other things, she commits an offense of transgressing the Vinaya. However, it is permissible to make lawful exchanges and use them in a proper manner. Therefore it is said (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Doctrinal verification: Thích Đỗng Minh