Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 13Exchanging Group Property

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– CONCLUSION OF THE SAṂGHĀVAŚEṢA PRECEPTS.

13. PRECEPT: USING FUNDS SOLICITED FOR FOOD TO PURCHASE ROBES AND BOWLS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī, at that time the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā went about soliciting donations to purchase food, saying to women: "Ladies, upāsikās, I wish to provide food for the Sangha." The faithful and joyful upāsikās then offered money for the purchase of food, and said: "Venerable one, on the day the food is to be prepared, please let us know so that we may come and cook."

Having received the money, this bhikkhunī used it to purchase food and to procure robes and a bowl for herself. With what remained, she bought only coarse, simple food. On the appointed day, the upāsikās arrived to prepare the food, and upon seeing this they asked: "Venerable one, previously we offered a great deal of money for purchasing food — why is there only such coarse food as this?" The bhikkhunīs then replied: "Where was there money to buy fine food? It was all spent on robes, a bowl, and food for personal use."

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

—Is this matter truly as reported?

—It is indeed so, Blessed One!

—This is a wrongful act.

Thereupon, the Buddha instructed Mahāprajāpatī to issue an order for all the bhikkhunīs dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble, and that even those who had already heard this rule must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī solicits money for purchasing food for the Sangha and then uses it to procure robes, a bowl, food, or medicine for her own personal use, she commits the offense of niḥsargika-pācittika.

EXPLANATION:

Purchasing food: Purchasing food for the Sangha.

Soliciting: Going about requesting and soliciting donations.

Using it for another purpose: Using it to procure robes, a bowl, and food for oneself. If one does so, one commits the offense of niḥsargika-pācittika.

Niḥsargika-pācittika: As explained above. If a bhikkhunī goes to solicit money for purchasing food for the Sangha and uses it to buy robes, a bowl, or food for herself, she commits the offense of niḥsargika-pācittika. One must, in accordance with the original intention, carry out the purpose for which the donation was given.

If one uses money designated for one meal's food to purchase food for another meal, or uses money designated for a later meal to purchase food for an earlier meal, one commits the offense of vītikrama-vinaya.

If one uses money designated for purchasing food to buy beds and bedding, one commits the offense of niḥsargika-pācittika.

If one uses money designated for robes for the spring, summer, or winter seasons, or uses money intended for food to make purchases that do not accord with the donor's original intention, one commits the offense of vītikrama-vinaya.

If a bhikkhunī goes about soliciting donations for the purchase of food for the Sangha, she must use all of it for that purpose. If there is food, oil, or milk left over, she must show it to the donors. If the donors take it away, she should quietly allow them to do so. If they say: "We offer this to the Venerable one," she should respond: "It should be offered to the Sangha." If they say: "We have already made an offering to the Sangha; this portion we now offer to the Venerable one," then at that point she may accept it without offense. Therefore it is said thus.

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHĀBHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH