Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 116Entering Monasteries

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– ELUCIDATION OF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

116. PRECEPT: ENTERING A MONASTERY WITHOUT ANNOUNCING ONESELF IN ADVANCE.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, at that time the bhikkhunī who was the mother of Kiệt-trụ entered without prior announcement the room of the bhikkhu who was the father of Kiệt-trụ, and proceeded to rub his back. He turned around, saw her, and cried out:

— Stop, stop! Stay away from me!

— In former times I used to bathe you regularly; now I have only rubbed you a little — what is there to make such a fuss about?

— In former times I was a layperson; now that I have gone forth, one must no longer act as before.

The bhikkhunīs then spoke of this to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī brought the matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha had that bhikkhunī summoned. When she had arrived, the Buddha asked:

— Did this matter truly occur?

— It truly did, Blessed One!

— That is a wrongful act. Why did you enter the bhikkhus' monastery without announcing yourself beforehand? From this day forward, I do not permit such conduct.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed: Even those who have already heard must hear this again:

— If a bhikkhunī enters a bhikkhu's monastery without first announcing herself, she commits a pācittiya offence.

EXPLANATION:

A bhikkhu's monastery: At minimum, a dwelling place of one bhikkhu.

Without first announcing: Without speaking beforehand, without calling out, but entering of one's own accord — as did the bhikkhunī who was the mother of Kiệt-trụ — constitutes a pācittiya offence.

Pācittiya: As stated above. If a bhikkhunī wishes to enter a bhikkhu's dwelling, she must go and stand before the door of the room and announce: "Greetings — bhikkhunī (such-and-such) requests to enter for an audience and hopes to be granted permission." At that point, the bhikkhu must consider the matter: if he finds that bhikkhunī to be virtuous and well-conducted, and he himself is at leisure and is already properly robed, he may grant permission to enter.

If he is occupied, or is working with soil, or is unclothed, he should say: "Sister, please wait a moment," and then call out: "Venerable Elders, a bhikkhunī wishes to enter — please put on your robes." If he finds that bhikkhunī to be of unwholesome character and lacking in proper deportment, he should say: "Do not enter; the Saṅgha is presently engaged."

If she enters without having announced herself on the first occasion, she commits a pācittiya offence. However, if she comes again on a subsequent occasion, there is no offence. If she enters without announcing herself, lifting one foot incurs a dukkaṭa offence; lifting both feet incurs a pācittiya offence. If she turns and goes back out, she incurs a dukkaṭa offence.

If a bhikkhu enters a bhikkhunī's dwelling without first announcing himself, he commits a dukkaṭa offence. When wishing to enter, he should go and stand before the door of the room and have a female attendant convey the announcement before entering. Therefore the Blessed One has spoken thus (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHĀBHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

MEANING VERIFIED BY: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH