Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 109Kiṁ punaḥ

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLAINING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

109. PRECEPT: STUBBORNLY REFUSING TO HEED ADMONITION.

When the Buddha was residing at Sāvatthī, at that time the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā, not yet having fulfilled the ten qualities, ordained disciples, and then failing to instruct them, left them to roam freely like wild cattle and wild goats. Thereupon a certain bhikkhunī said to Sthūlanandā:

—Venerable, you have not yet fulfilled the ten qualities, yet you ordain disciples and do not instruct them, leaving them in such a state.

—You are envious of my ordaining disciples and so you reproach me.

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

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It is truly so, Blessed One!

—That is a wrong deed. Why did you, not yet having fulfilled the ten qualities, ordain disciples, and then, failing to instruct them, turn and reproach others? From this day forth, I do not permit the reproaching of others.

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

—If bhikkhunī A says to bhikkhunī B: "Venerable, you have not yet fulfilled the ten qualities yet you ordain disciples—you must instruct them," and bhikkhunī B turns and reproaches bhikkhunī A, she commits an offense of Pācittiya.

EXPLANATION:

Bhikkhunī: Whether the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, or many persons, or one person.

Bhikkhunī B: That is, the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā.

Not yet having fulfilled the ten qualities: That is, the ten qualities not yet being accomplished, yet she ordains disciples, gives full ordination, and when someone offers admonition she instead reproaches them—this constitutes an offense of Pācittiya.

Pācittiya: As explained above.

If a bhikkhu acts in the same manner, he commits an offense of violation of the Vinaya. Therefore the Blessed One spoke thus (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

CERTIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH