Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 134During the Rainy Season

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– RULES OF DISCIPLINE FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– ELUCIDATION OF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀYANTIKA RULES

134. RULE: TRAVELING DURING THE RAINS RETREAT.

When the Buddha was residing at the city of Sāvatthī, it was the time of the Rains Retreat. The bhikkhunī Kālī received bedding and cushions from the Saṅgha and then departed on a journey. The bhikkhunīs brought this matter to the attention of Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī… In the end, the Buddha questioned her and she replied:

—It is true, Blessed One!

—Why did you travel during the Rains Retreat? From now on, I do not permit such conduct.

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

—If a bhikkhunī travels during the Rains Retreat, she commits a Pāyantika offense.

EXPLANATION:

Rains Retreat: This refers to both the Early Rains Retreat and the Late Rains Retreat.

Traveling: At the minimum, going to take up lodging in a village constitutes a Pāyantika offense.

Pāyantika: As stated above. If during the Rains Retreat a bhikkhunī leaves the boundary for even one night, she commits a Pāyantika offense. However, if she departs due to a danger posed by the king, or because bandits have come from elsewhere, or out of fear of losing her life, or out of fear of harm to her holy life, then there is no offense.

During the Rains Retreat, if a bhikkhunī travels on account of affairs concerning a stūpa or the Saṅgha without first performing the kammavācā requesting permission, she commits a Pāyantika offense. Therefore the Blessed One spoke 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

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH