Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 87Cursing Another

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– THE PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪ

– EXPLAINING THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀCITTIYAS

87. PRECEPT: MAKING OATHS AND CURSING ANOTHER.

When the Buddha was residing at the city of Sāvatthī, the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā quarreled with another bhikkhunī and then, invoking the Buddha, invoking the ācārya, and invoking the robe, swore an oath as follows: "Homage to the Buddha. If I have done such a thing, then when I die may I not be permitted to wear the monastic robe, may I not be able to put an end to suffering, may I bear the crime of killing my parents, may I bear the crime of ingratitude, may I bear the crime of slandering the noble ones, may I fall into hell, descend into the realm of hungry ghosts, and descend into the realm of animals. If I have done such a thing, then I will fall into those realms. And if you have done such a thing, then you too will fall into those realms."

The bhikkhunīs heard this and reported it to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī then brought the matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha instructed that this bhikkhunī be summoned. When she arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this thing truly happen?

—It is truly so, Blessed One.

—That is a bad thing. You are one who has gone forth — why then did you swear such an oath? This is contrary to the Dhamma, contrary to the Vinaya, and goes against my teaching; such a thing cannot be used to nurture wholesome qualities.

In the end the Buddha declared — let all who have heard still hear it again:

—If a bhikkhunī makes oaths herself and curses another, she commits a pācittiya offense.

EXPLANATION:

Making oaths oneself: Such as invoking the Buddha or invoking the ācārya and swearing: "Homage to the Buddha. If I have done such a thing, may I incur the crime of Devadatta, the crime of false speech, the crime of betraying one's benefactor, and the crime of divisive speech. If I am thus, may the holy life not be fulfilled, may I not be permitted to wear the monastic robe at death, may I fall into hell, descend into the realm of animals, and the realm of hungry ghosts. And if you slander me, then you too shall incur such crimes." If one swears such an oath, one commits a pācittiya offense.

If a bhikkhu swears such an oath, he commits a dubbhāsita offense. 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