Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 132Going to the Instruction

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLANATION OF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

132. PRECEPT: NOT SHOWING RESPECT TO THE BHIKKHU WHO GIVES INSTRUCTION.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, at that time senior bhikkhus would go to give instruction to bhikkhunīs, but the group of six bhikkhus had not been appointed to give instruction. Thus, when the day for giving instruction arrived, they discussed among themselves: "Let us go and give instruction." Then one of them said: "The Blessed One has laid down a rule: one who has not been appointed must not go to give instruction. Therefore, let us go outside the boundary, nominate one another, and then go." And so they went outside the boundary, nominated one another, and then early in the morning put on their robes and went to the residence of the bhikkhunīs, saying to them: "Sisters, assemble everyone together; we will give instruction."

At that point, the group of six bhikkhunīs quickly assembled, but the virtuous bhikkhunīs did not come, saying: "We do not accept instruction from those who do not abide by the Vinaya."

Then the group of six bhikkhus and the group of six bhikkhunīs conversed on worldly matters for a short while and then dispersed. Thereafter, the elder Nanda put on his robe, took his bowl, and went to the monastery, saying to the bhikkhunīs: "Sisters, assemble the Sangha; I will give instruction." At that time, the virtuous bhikkhunīs assembled in full, but the group of six bhikkhunīs did not come. The elder asked:

—Has the bhikkhunī Sangha assembled?

—Not yet assembled.

—Who has not assembled?

—The group of six bhikkhunīs.

Thereupon the elder ordered a messenger to go and summon them:

—Sisters, come so that I may give instruction.

—We are not coming; we have already received instruction from a group of noble ones.

—In that case the bhikkhunīs are not in harmony.

Having said this, the elder departed. When he arrived at the monastery, the Buddha, though knowing, still asked:

—Why did you return from giving instruction so quickly?

—Blessed One, when the time came, I put on my robe and went there to give instruction. The virtuous bhikkhunīs had all assembled, but the group of six bhikkhunīs did not come. Because the bhikkhunī Sangha was not in harmony, I was unable to give instruction.

—Go and summon the group of six bhikkhunīs here.

When they arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur as stated?

—It truly did, Blessed One.

Thereupon the Buddha taught: Even one who has heard before must hear again:

—Every half-month, when the Sangha gives instruction and a bhikkhunī does not show respect and does not come to listen, she commits a Pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

Half-month: That is, the fourteenth and fifteenth days.

The Sangha gives instruction: This means giving instruction to bhikkhunīs. If one does not show respect and does not come to listen, she commits a Pācittiya offense.

Pācittiya: As stated above. If one is elderly, ill, taking medicine, or has had a head-bleeding and is drinking milk, one should send consent, saying as follows: "I, so-and-so, send consent on account of the instruction" (Said three times).

If one is not ill and does not come, or is ill and does not send consent, she commits a Pācittiya offense. On the Uposatha day, a bhikkhunī should be sent to bring a request to the Sangha, saying as follows: "The bhikkhunī Sangha is in harmony and respectfully bows its head at the feet of the bhikkhu Sangha, inquires about the Uposatha, and requests instruction" (Said three times).

At that time, if among the bhikkhu Sangha there is someone who goes to give instruction to the bhikkhunīs, he should reply: "Sisters, I will come."

If there is a bhikkhu who fulfills twelve qualities, a kammavācā should be performed appointing him to go and give instruction. If there is no such person, one should say: "There is no one to go and give instruction to the bhikkhunīs. However, let the community of bhikkhunīs not be heedless."

Therefore the Blessed One spoke (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