Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 140Disposing Feces on Plants

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLAINING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

140. PRECEPT: DEFECATING AND URINATING IN WATER.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī. At that time, King Prasenajit did not prohibit bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs from entering the eastern garden and pond for recreation. On account of this, the group of six bhikkhunīs entered that garden, spoke of worldly matters, defecated and urinated, and spat on fresh grass; then they picked lotus leaves, wrapped the impure matter (feces) in them, and threw the packages into the pond.

Early in the morning, King Prasenajit, together with the ladies of his inner palace, went to the garden and pond to stroll about. Because the palace women had long been confined within the palace and were not permitted to go outside, they were now exceedingly delighted and joyful at being able to take an outing; each one claimed a patch of fresh grass, saying, "This is my patch of grass," and ran over and grasped the grass, whereupon their hands became soiled.

They then went to the pond to wash their hands, and there they saw packages of leaves floating on the water, and thought to themselves: "Surely some young men, hearing that we were about to come for an outing, have wrapped up fragrant gifts to present to us." They ran forward and snatched the packages, and their hands became soiled. They went to report to the king: "What are these things that are so filthy?" The king then summoned the garden keeper and asked:

—Who has made this garden dirty?

—Yesterday, the group of six bhikkhunīs entered the garden, bathed and played about, and then departed; there was no one else.

The bhikkhunīs then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. Thereupon the Buddha said: "That is a wrongful act." And further: Even one who has already heard this must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī defecates or urinates on fresh grass, she commits a pācittiya offence.

—If a bhikkhunī defecates or urinates in water, she commits a pācittiya offence.

EXPLANATION:

Grass: This includes all kinds of grass whatsoever; if one defecates or urinates upon it, one commits a pācittiya offence. If during the rainy season grass grows and covers the ground, one should seek a spot free of grass in which to defecate or urinate. If there is no open patch of ground, one should defecate on bricks, tiles, dry grass or sticks, on cattle or horse dung, or in a place where people habitually defecate. If none of these is available, one should at least find a piece of wood, defecate so that the matter falls upon the piece of wood first before falling upon the grass.

If there is grass along the place used for walking meditation, a spittoon should be placed at one end of the walking-meditation path. Therefore the Blessed One has spoken thus (as above).

Bhikkhunī: As explained above.

Water: There are ten kinds of water, as explained above. If one defecates, urinates, or spits in water, one commits a pācittiya offence.

If during the rainy season water floods everywhere, one should defecate and urinate on higher ground. If there is no higher ground, one should defecate and urinate on bricks, stones, dry grass or sticks, on cattle or horse dung. If none of these is available, one should use sticks, grass, or branches as a lining, so that the matter falls upon the sticks or grass first before falling into the water below.

If a latrine pit is dug and water flows out from below, one must not urinate into it first; rather, one should have a lay attendant defecate or urinate in it first, and then the bhikkhunī may use it afterward. If there is a stream flowing beneath a latrine, a plank should be placed there so that the matter falls upon the plank first before falling into the water below. If while aboard a boat there is a latrine, a plank should be placed there so that the matter falls upon the plank first before falling into the water below.

If there is no plank, place a branch so that the matter falls upon the branch first before falling into the water below.

Therefore the Blessed One has spoken thus (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