Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 111Vehicle

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLICATING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

111. PRECEPT: RIDING A VEHICLE WHEN NOT ILL.

When the Buddha was residing at Vesālī, at that time the bhikkhunī Bhadragāvīrī rode in a splendid vehicle to visit her relatives, and was censured by people of the world, who said: "Why does a śramaṇerī who has gone forth from the household life act like a worldly person, riding in a splendid vehicle? How full of desire she still is!"

The bhikkhunīs heard this and spoke of it to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī brought the matter in full before the Blessed One. The Buddha instructed that bhikkhunī to be summoned. When she had arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It is truly so, Blessed One!

—That is a wrongful act. From now on, I do not permit such conduct.

Furthermore, at that time there was a bhikkhunī of the Śākya clan who, being elderly, ill, and frail, could not keep pace with her companions while traveling the road and fell behind, and was assaulted by bandits. In the end, the Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī to transmit an order for all bhikkhunīs then dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and that even those who had already heard it must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī who is not ill rides in a vehicle, she commits a pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

Ill: If due to old age, illness, or frailty, or if a musician is unable to walk, the Blessed One declares there is no offense in riding a vehicle.

Vehicle: There are 8 types, including boats and rafts, which together are called the 8 types; if one makes use of any of these, a pācittiya offense is committed. The Blessed One does not permit bhikkhunīs who are not ill to ride in vehicles or boats. However, even when ill, one may not ride in a vehicle drawn by a bull; one may ride in a vehicle drawn by a cow, a horse, or a female camel. If due to illness one does not know whether the animal is male or female, there is no offense. If one crosses a river by ferry, there is no offense. Otherwise, if there is a reason, one may travel by boat upstream or downstream along a river.

If a bhikkhu who is not ill rides in a vehicle or boat, he commits a dukkhaṭa offense. Therefore the Blessed One has spoken thus.

Summary verse:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Meaning verified by: Thích Đỗng Minh