Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 17Niḥsīveti

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– CONCLUSION OF THE SAṂGHĀVAŚEṢA PRECEPTS.

17. PRECEPT: HAVING A WORN ROBE WITHOUT MENDING IT.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, at that time a certain bhikkhunī took out her soiled saṃghāṭī robe to wipe it clean, then hung it out to dry in the sun, and the wind blew it away.

The bhikkhunīs then reported this to Mahāprajāpatī. Mahāprajāpatī 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 truly so, Blessed One!

—Why did you take your old saṃghāṭī robe out to wipe it instead of washing it, and why did you not mend it yourself or have someone else mend it? From this time forward, I do not permit wiping a robe in place of washing it.

Furthermore, at that time, women of the Śākya clan and Malla women who were musicians washed the saṃghāṭī robe, but because the saṃghāṭī robe was thick and heavy it was difficult to wash, and they reported this to Mahāprajāpatī. Mahāprajāpatī then went and presented the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha said: "From this time forward, I permit up to five or six days."

Thereupon the Buddha instructed Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī to proclaim an order to all the bhikkhunīs dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, requiring them all to assemble—even those who had already heard were to hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī has an old saṃghāṭī robe and basts it herself or has someone else bast it, and then allows more than five or six days to pass without mending it herself or having someone mend it—except in case of illness—she commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pāyantika.

EXPLANATION:

Old saṃghāṭī robe: A robe that needs to be washed.

Either basting it herself or having someone else bast it within five or six days: Within the span of six days, if she does not mend it herself or have someone mend it, she commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pāyantika.

Niḥsargika-pāyantika: As stated above.

If a bhikkhunī washes an old saṃghāṭī robe that is both light and thin, she is not permitted to bast it. If it is thick and heavy, she is permitted to bast it. When the basting is finished, she must wash it; when it has been washed, she should spread it out on a clean board or mat, then weight the four corners with stones. When it is dry, she should call upon her fellow disciples, her dependents, or bhikkhunīs acquainted with her preceptor and ācārya to mend it promptly. If due to old age or illness there is no one to help, there is no offense. Therefore the Blessed One spoke thus (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

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH