Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 83Teaching Worldly Arts to Laity

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS FOR BHIKKHUNĪS

– DETAILED EXPOSITION OF THE FIRST PART OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

83. PRECEPT: GIVING PRESCRIPTIONS TO LAYPEOPLE AND NON-BUDDHISTS.

When the Buddha was dwelling at Kauśāmbī, after he had laid down the rule prohibiting the practice of medicine as a means of livelihood, someone invited the mother of Chandaka to be treated for an illness. The bhikkhunī said: "The Blessed One has laid down a rule not permitting the treatment of illness." They then said: "If you are not permitted to treat illness, then please give me a prescription." Thereupon she gave a prescription to laypeople and non-Buddhists. The bhikkhunīs then said: "To be occupied solely with pondering over medical formulas is not the proper conduct of one who has gone forth."

Thereupon they reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī brought the matter and reported it in full to the Blessed One. The Buddha instructed that bhikkhunī to be summoned. When she had come, the Buddha asked:

—Is it true that you did this?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, I do not permit giving prescriptions to laypeople and non-Buddhists.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed Mahāpajāpatī Gautamī to convey the order for all the bhikkhunīs dwelling at Kauśāmbī to assemble together, and even those who had already heard it must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī gives a prescription to laypeople and non-Buddhists, she commits a pācittiya offence.

EXPLANATION:

Bhikkhunī: As stated above.

Laypeople: Householders.

Non-Buddhists: Refers to those of non-Buddhist paths who have gone forth.

Giving a prescription: Whether it be a spell for snakebite, a spell for poison, or even a spell for fire, a spell for stars, the sun, or the moon — this constitutes a pācittiya offence.

Pācittiya: As stated above.

A bhikkhunī is not permitted to give a prescription to laypeople and non-Buddhists, nor is she permitted to instruct them in medical formulas.

If a bhikkhu gives a prescription to laypeople and non-Buddhists, he commits a Vinayātikrama offence. Therefore the Blessed One has spoken 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