Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 117Laying Bedding Without Permission

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– RULES OF DISCIPLINE FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLANATION OF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

117. RULE: LODGING IN A LAY HOUSEHOLD.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, at that time a bhikkhunī who was traveling along the road encountered dusk and, wishing to enter a village to seek lodging, went to a certain house and said to the woman there:

—Please allow me to stay for one night.

—My husband has gone out and may return by evening.

The bhikkhunī continued to press her request for lodging. The woman said: "If my husband does not return, you may stay for one night." And so she permitted her to stay. When evening came, the husband returned, and driven by the fetters, he had intercourse with his wife. This bhikkhunī, not yet free from desire, heard the sounds of the couple's intimacy and was troubled in heart. When she returned to the monastery, she spoke of it to the other bhikkhunīs. The bhikkhunīs then told Mahāpajāpatī. In the end, the Buddha had the bhikkhunī summoned. When she arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this thing truly happen?

—It truly happened thus, Blessed One!

—Why, knowing it to be a household where intercourse takes place, did you still lodge there? From now on, I do not permit such conduct.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, at that time some bhikkhunīs who were traveling along the road came to dusk and entered a village, searching everywhere but finding no households without men, and were compelled to rest temporarily at the side of a lane. Then in the middle of the night a great rain and fierce wind arose, and some young men came and violated them, causing harm to their celibate life. The bhikkhunīs then reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. In the end, the Buddha instructed: "From now on, except in other circumstances—even one who has already heard this must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī, knowing it to be a household where intercourse takes place, lodges there—except in other circumstances—she commits a Pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

Other circumstances: That is, the time of wind, the time of rain, the time of threat to one's life, the time when one's celibate life is in danger of being harmed; these are called other circumstances.

Bhikkhunī: As stated above.

Knowing: Either knowing it oneself or knowing through having heard from others.

Household where intercourse takes place (thực gia dâm xứ): A woman is the sustenance of a man, and a man is the sustenance of a woman.

Household: The household of the four social classes.

Place of intercourse: The sleeping quarters of husband and wife. If a bhikkhunī lodges in such a place, she commits a Pācittiya offense. Except in other circumstances, the Blessed One declares there is no offense. Other circumstances are: the time of wind, the time of rain, the time of danger to one's life, the time when one suspects that young men may cause harm to one's celibate life; these are called other circumstances. One must not, having already known that place to be a household where intercourse takes place, still lodge there. If one suspects that within the village there are licentious young men and, out of fear of them, lodges there, there is no offense. Therefore the Blessed One spoke thus.

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

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH