Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 126Scents and Colors

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– CLARIFYING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

126. PRECEPT: INSTRUCTING WOMEN TO APPLY SCENTS AND SCRUB.

When the Buddha was dwelling at Vesālī, the bhikkhunī Bhaddalā went to her relatives' home and watched them bathe. The women said to her: "Let us scrub the body of the noble one so that we may gain some merit." Because this bhikkhunī's body was beautiful, the women wished to see it. And so she consented to let them scrub her. They then applied various scented oils to her body. The bhikkhunīs who saw this reproached her, saying: "One who has gone forth and yet harbors such great sensual desire!"

On account of this, the bhikkhunīs reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. In the end, the Buddha inquired and she replied:

—It is true, Blessed One!

—Why did you instruct laywomen to scrub your body? From now on, I do not permit this.

Then the Buddha taught: Even those who have already heard this must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī instructs laywomen to apply oil, scents, and scrub her body for bathing—except in case of illness—she commits a pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

Laywomen: Women of the four castes.

Scrubbing for bathing: Applying various oils and scents to the body and then scrubbing it. However, if it is on account of old age or illness, there is no offense. But if there is no illness and she instructs them to scrub and bathe her, she commits a pācittiya offense.

Pācittiya: As explained above.

If the body is afflicted with sores, one may apply medicine to them and then bathe. If one suffers from a fever ailment, one may crush mung beans and apply them. If one suffers from a wind ailment, one may apply brown rice flour. If one suffers from various mixed ailments, one may apply traditional medicinal preparations; there is no offense. However, after applying medicine, one should not remain among the community but should stay in an adjoining room; when the illness has healed, one must bathe thoroughly before returning among the community.

If a bhikkhu who is not ill instructs a layperson to scrub him, he commits a dukkaṭa offense. 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 FǍXIǍN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

CERTIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH