Lzh Mg Bi Vb Np 20Light Cloaks

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– RULES OF DISCIPLINE FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– END OF THE SAṂGHĀVAŚEṢA RULES.

20. RULE: PURCHASING LIGHT SILK.

When the Buddha was residing at Vesālī, a merchant from the south arrived carrying a piece of light silk adorned with the image of a swan. Someone asked him:

—How much does this fabric cost?

—One hundred thousand.

Because the price was high, the king did not purchase it, and the ministers and other merchants likewise did not purchase it. Unable to sell the silk, he sat dejectedly at his shop. Someone who noticed this asked:

—Why do you look so sorrowful?

—I purchased this fine silk, paid a great deal in taxes, and now I cannot sell it.

—Do you wish to sell it?

—I do wish to sell it.

—You might bring it to the Śramaṇerī Bhadra; she will buy it from you.

So he went there and asked people, "Where is the residence of the bhikkhunīs?" Once he learned the place, he entered and asked, "Where is the room of Bhikkhunī Bhadra?" Someone pointed it out. He went in and greeted her:

—Greetings, noble one! Are you Bhadra?

—What is your reason for asking?

—I have this piece of silk adorned with a swan; would you purchase it?

—How much do you ask?

—I ask one hundred thousand.

The bhikkhunī did not bargain down the price but instructed her attendant: "Go to the shop and tell Vāroī to take one hundred thousand and give it to him." Afterward, someone asked the merchant:

—Have you sold the silk?

—It has been sold.

—Who bought it?

—The Śramaṇerī Bhadra bought it.

Thereupon, people reproached him, saying: "Why does one who has gone forth from home life still delight in fine things in this way?"

The bhikkhunīs, upon hearing this, reported it to Mahāpajāpatī. In the end, the Buddha addressed Bhikkhunī Bhadra: "Have you no thought of being a model for those who come after? From this day forward, I do not permit more than two and a half kārṣāpaṇas to be spent on purchasing one piece of light silk." Then the Buddha instructed Mahāpajāpatī Gautamī to transmit the order to all bhikkhunīs dwelling in Śrāvastī to assemble together; even those who had already heard it were to hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī spends more than two and a half kārṣāpaṇas to purchase one piece of light silk, she commits a Niḥsargika-Pācittika offense.

EXPLANATION:

Two and a half kārṣāpaṇas: Equal to sixteen old coins. (The method of calculation is the lesser reckoning, not consistent with the above.)

Purchase: To exchange money for another object; if it exceeds the prescribed amount, a Niḥsargika-Pācittika offense is committed.

Niḥsargika-Pācittika: As stated above.

If a bhikkhunī purchases light silk, she should use two and a half kārṣāpaṇas for the purchase and must not exceed that amount. If she does not request it but a donor gives it to her, then even if she receives and uses fine silk of great value, there is no offense.

A bhikkhu may purchase fine silk of great value and use it without offense.

Verse summary:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH