Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 19Heavy Cloaks

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– END OF THE SAṂGHĀVAŚEṢA PRECEPTS.

19. PRECEPT: PURCHASING A HEAVY CLOAK.

When the Buddha was dwelling at Vaiśālī, there was at that time a merchant from the North who had brought a most excellent and precious Kambala cloth for sale. People asked him:

—How much are you asking for this?

—One hundred thousand.

At that time, the king, princes, ministers, and great merchants all considered it too expensive and did not purchase it. The merchant sat dejected at his shop, and people asked him:

—Why do you appear so downcast?

—I purchased this Kambala cloth at great value, the taxes on it were also substantial, yet now I cannot sell it, and so I am unhappy.

—Do you wish to sell it?

—I wish to sell it.

—You should bring it to the śramaṇerī Bhaddrā; she will purchase it.

He then brought it there, asking people: "Where is the bhikkhunī monastery?" The people pointed out the place. When he arrived, he asked again: "Where is the room of Bhikkhunī Bhaddrā?" The people again pointed it out. When he reached the place, he asked: "Who is Bhikkhunī Bhaddrā?" Bhaddrā then asked him in return:

—Why do you ask for me?

—Do you wish to purchase this Kambala robe?

—How much do you ask?

—One hundred thousand, not a penny more or less.

Bhaddrā then instructed her disciple: "Go to the shop of Vāruī and fetch one hundred thousand to give to him." Afterward, someone asked the merchant:

—Have you sold the Kambala yet?

—It has been sold.

—Who took it?

—The śramaṇerī Bhaddrā.

That person then reproached: "One who has gone forth from home life still delights in fine things."

The bhikkhunīs heard this and spoke of it to Mahāprajāpatī. Mahāprajāpatī then brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha ordered that Bhikkhunī Bhaddrā be summoned. When she arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It is truly so, Blessed One!

—Are you not setting a model for those who come after? From this day forth, I do not permit spending more than 4 kārṣāpaṇas to purchase a single heavy cloak.

The Buddha then instructed Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī to issue the order for all bhikkhunīs then residing in the city of Vaiśālī to assemble together, and even those who had already heard it must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī spends more than 4 kārṣāpaṇas to purchase a single heavy cloak, she commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pāyattika.

EXPLANATION:

4 kārṣāpaṇas: 16 ancient coins.

Heavy cloak: A Kambala robe.

Purchase: To exchange (money) for a thing. If one exchanges more than 16 ancient coins for a single article, one commits an offense of Niḥsargika-pāyattika.

Niḥsargika-pāyattika: As already explained above.

A bhikkhunī may not use more than 16 ancient coins to purchase a single heavy cloak. However, if a donor gives one without being asked, even if the article is of great value, she who receives it incurs no offense.

Bhikkhunīs have this restriction; bhikkhus have no such restriction—even if they accept and use a costly article, they incur no offense. This is why the Blessed One spoke (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHAJĪVA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Doctrinal verification: Thích Đỗng Minh