Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 15Cīvarasannicaya

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– RULES OF DISCIPLINE FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– CONCLUSION OF THE SAṂGHĀVAŚEṢA RULES.

15. RULE: STORING EXTRA ROBES.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī, as elaborated above, up to the point where it is said: "Do you wish to open a shop selling robes?"

The bhikkhunīs heard this and then spoke to Mahāprajāpatī. Mahāprajāpatī brought the matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha then ordered that bhikkhunī to be summoned. When she had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It truly did, Blessed One!

—Why did you store extra robes? From this day forward, I do not permit the storing of extra robes.

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

—If a bhikkhunī stores extra robes, she commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pācittika.

EXPLANATION:

Robes: This includes the following types: kambala robes, woolen robes, kauśeya robes, śauma robes, śāṇa robes, hemp robes, and kṣaumika robes.

Storing: If one stores beyond the prescribed limit, one commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pācittika.

Niḥsargika-pācittika: As explained above.

A bhikkhunī is permitted to store twenty robes: five for personal use, and the remaining fifteen are to be used after being transferred through净施 (pariṇāmanā). If she stores beyond that number, she commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pācittika. If a bhikkhu has surplus robes and transfers them through净施 (pariṇāmanā), a bhikkhunī who uses them incurs no offense. Therefore the Blessed One spoke (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Verification of meaning: Thích Đỗng Minh