Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 105Not Following Mentor

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLANATION OF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

105. PRECEPT: AFTER RECEIVING FULL ORDINATION, NOT ATTENDING UPON ONE'S PRECEPTOR.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, at that time a bhikkhunī ordained a disciple, and after the disciple had received full ordination, the disciple departed for another place. Because of this, the preceptor bhikkhunī lamented: "The Blessed One has laid down a rule requiring that one instruct one's disciple, but my disciple has left me. Whom then shall I instruct?"

The bhikkhunīs then reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī thereupon presented the full account to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered that bhikkhunī to be summoned. When she arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Is this matter truly as reported?

—It is indeed so, Blessed One!

—That is a wrong thing to do. Why did you depart for another place after receiving full ordination? You must attend upon and serve your preceptor bhikkhunī for two years.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī to convey this ruling to all the bhikkhunīs residing in Sāvatthī, requiring them all to assemble — even those who had already heard it must hear it again:

—When a bhikkhunī has received full ordination, she must follow and attend upon, and serve her preceptor bhikkhunī for two years. If she does not follow, attend upon, and serve her, she commits a pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

One who has received full ordination: Refers to a disciple who dwells together with her preceptor.

Two years: That is, during the period of two rainy seasons.

To serve: Means to serve the preceptor bhikkhunī.

To attend upon: Means not to depart from her. If one does not attend upon and serve her, one commits a pācittiya offense. However, if the preceptor bhikkhunī is lax in observing the precepts, such that the disciple has no wish to train under her, and thinks: "My preceptor goes only to places she should not go; if I follow her, I fear it will bring harm to my pure practice," and then departs in order to preserve her pure practice, there is no offense.

If a bhikkhu does not attend upon and serve his preceptor, he commits a dukkaṭa offense. Therefore the Blessed One has spoken as above.

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