Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 118Outside Their Own Country

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLICATING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

118. PRECEPT: TRAVELING FAR WITHOUT A COMPANION.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, the bhikkhunīs of Vesālī, having completed the rains retreat, wished to travel to Sāvatthī to pay homage to the Blessed One. They went to the monastery of the bhikkhus and greeted them:

—Venerable sirs, we have heard that you wish to travel to Sāvatthī to pay homage to the Blessed One. Is this so?

—Why do you ask?

—We wish to accompany you.

—The Blessed One has established a precept forbidding bhikkhus from traveling the same road together with bhikkhunīs.

—On what day will you depart?

—On such-and-such a day.

Thereupon the bhikkhunīs took note of that day, returned to prepare their robes and bowls, and on the appointed day came and stood waiting by the roadside. On that day, the bhikkhus finished their meal and set out. When they saw the bhikkhunīs, they said to one another: "The bhikkhunīs want to follow us; let us walk faster." At that, the younger bhikkhunīs rushed to keep up, while the elderly, the sick, and those who were not robust could not keep pace and fell behind, and so were stripped of all their belongings by bandits.

The bhikkhunīs then reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī in turn brought the matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately had that bhikkhunī summoned. When she arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this truly happen?

—It truly happened thus, Blessed One!

—Why did you dare to travel the road to a distant foreign land without merchants as companions? From this time forward, I do not permit such conduct.

The Buddha then instructed Mahāpajāpatī to convey his directive to all the bhikkhunīs residing in Sāvatthī, requiring them all to assemble—even those who had already heard the rule were to hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī travels to a distant foreign land without merchants as companions, she commits a pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

Without a companion: Without merchants as companions.

A foreign land: Another kingdom. If one travels there, one commits a pācittiya offense.

When a bhikkhunī wishes to travel, she should first seek merchants as companions. If a person says: "Venerable one, come here; I will make arrangements for you to travel," she should then examine that person carefully. If his words sound agreeable but his appearance is not trustworthy, she should not travel with him, but should seek those of good character who are accompanied by their wives and daughters, and travel together with them.

If in urgent circumstances one is unable to make a thorough examination at the outset and discovers the truth only midway through the journey, one must not abandon them immediately, but should wait until near a village before parting from them. If they ask: "Where are you going?" she should reply: "I am going for alms."

If a bhikkhunī does not travel in the company of merchants while on the road, she commits a dukkața offense; upon arriving at her destination, she commits a pācittiya offense.

If a bhikkhu travels a long road without merchants as companions, he commits a dukkața 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 THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH