Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 84Serving Householders

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLAINING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀYANTIKA RULES

84. PRECEPT: SERVING HOUSEHOLDERS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, at that time Visākhā Migāramātā invited both communities of the Sangha (to her home for an offering). The bhikkhunīs came to her house early in the morning and said:

—O Upāsikā, today you have invited both communities of the Sangha; how should we repay you?

—Venerable ones, you need only recite the scriptures and practice the path — that is already repayment enough.

—That is so, yet there should also be something else we can do in return, however small.

And so they climbed up to the upper floor, brought out raw cotton, and some of them removed the seeds, some carded the cotton, and some spun the thread, making it into round spools, which they then presented to her, saying:

—What we wished to offer in repayment, we have now done.

—That is not repayment. If you wish to repay me, then after eating, sit in meditation, recite the scriptures, and study the scriptures — that is what is called repayment.

Hearing this, the bhikkhunīs reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī then went and reported the entire matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha instructed that those bhikkhunīs be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this truly happen?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—That is a wrongful act. From this day forward, I do not permit performing worldly tasks in the homes of laypeople.

The Buddha then instructed Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī to convey the order that all bhikkhunīs living in the city of Sāvatthī must assemble together, and that even those who had already heard it must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī performs work for laypeople, she commits a Pāyantika offense.

EXPLANATION:

Laypeople: That is, the homes of laypeople clad in white.

Performing work for laypeople: This means removing cotton seeds, carding cotton, and spinning thread, or pounding grain, grinding, washing robes, and in general performing such household tasks for laypeople — doing so constitutes a Pāyantika offense.

Pāyantika: As stated above. A bhikkhunī is not permitted to perform work for laypeople. If a donor wishes to make an offering to the Buddha and says, "Venerable one, please help me make this offering implement," then at that time one may help them by stringing garlands or grinding fragrant powder.

If a bhikkhu performs work to assist laypeople, he commits a Dubbhāsita offense. Therefore the Blessed One has spoken (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHĀBHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

CERTIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH