Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 125Legal Issues

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– CLARIFICATION OF THE FIRST PART OF THE 141 PĀYANTIKA RULES

125. PRECEPT: WHEN THERE IS CONFLICT IN THE COMMUNITY AND ONE DOES NOT SUPPRESS IT.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, at that time among the bhikkhunīs there was conflict and they were living in disharmony. At that time, Mahāpajāpatī Gautamī was serving as the head of the community, yet when conflict arose in the Saṃgha she was unable to suppress it, and matters that had not yet arisen she was unable to prevent from arising. The bhikkhunīs then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha instructed that Mahāpajāpatī Gautamī be summoned. When the nun had arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Gautamī, is it true that this matter occurred?

—It is indeed true, Blessed One!

—Why is it that when conflict arises you do not suppress it, and when matters have not yet arisen you do not seek a means to prevent them from arising? From this time forward, when conflict arises it must be suppressed.

Thereupon, the Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī to convey an order to all the bhikkhunīs living in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble together, and even those who had already heard it must hear it again:

—If among the bhikkhunīs there is quarreling and opposition and they are living in disharmony, and the head of the community does not mediate and suppress it, she commits a pāyantika offense.

EXPLANATION:

Quarreling: Disputing one another with words.

Opposition: Both sides contend for victory or defeat, living in disharmony, and then speak to one another concerning such matters as: in accordance with the Dharma or not in accordance with the Dharma; in accordance with the Vinaya or not in accordance with the Vinaya; an offense or not an offense; a light offense or a serious offense; an offense that can be adjudicated or an offense that cannot be adjudicated; an offense with remainder or an offense without remainder; a kamma performed in accordance with the Dharma or a kamma not in accordance with the Dharma; a kamma performed in harmony or a kamma not performed in harmony; a kamma that should be performed or a kamma that should not be performed; a kamma performed in the proper place or a kamma not performed in the proper place.

Head of the community: The one who stands at the head of the community and serves as a model for all to follow.

Does not mediate and suppress it: Whether one does not suppress it oneself, or does not direct another to suppress it, one commits a pāyantika offense.

Pāyantika: As stated above. When the bhikkhunīs are quarreling and opposing one another and living in disharmony, one must not simply stand by and observe, but must seek a means to suppress it and instruct them to confess their faults to one another. If the matter cannot be brought to a halt, and it is necessary to perform a kamma, then the Saṃgha should be convened to resolve it.

If one is personally not capable of doing so, one should invite virtuous bhikkhus, bhikkhunīs, upāsakas, or upāsikās from other communities to come and suppress it. If the quarrel is difficult to resolve, one should reflect: "This is the ripening of the karma of sentient beings as it unfolds; let us await the time of maturation and it will come to an end of itself." If one reflects in this manner, there is no offense.

If bhikkhus are quarreling and opposing one another and the head of the community does not seek a means to suppress it, he commits a duṣkṛta offense. Therefore the Blessed One spoke thus (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH