Lzh Mg Bi Vb Pc 94Twelve Years of Seniority Without Approval

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPLANATION OF THE FIRST SECTION OF THE 141 PĀYATTIKA RULES

94. PRECEPT: TAKING A DISCIPLE WITHOUT HAVING RECEIVED PERMISSION.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, after he had permitted those who had completed twelve rains-retreats and accomplished the ten qualities to take disciples, bhikkhunīs who had completed twelve rains-retreats and accomplished the ten qualities then proceeded to take disciples. Thereupon other bhikkhunīs complained: "Who can confirm that she has completed twelve rains-retreats and accomplished the ten qualities?"

The bhikkhunīs who heard this reported the matter to Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī in turn presented the matter to the Blessed One. In the end, the one concerned replied to the Buddha's inquiry:

—It is true, Blessed One.

—From this time forward, one who wishes to take a disciple must first perform a kammavācā requesting permission, and only then request the kammavācā for taking a disciple. The one performing the kammavācā should announce as follows:

—May the noble Saṅgha listen. The bhikkhunī so-and-so, having accomplished the ten qualities, wishes to appear before the Saṅgha to request the kammavācā for taking a disciple. If the time is right for the Saṅgha, (may the Saṅgha grant its consent).

May the noble Saṅgha listen. The bhikkhunī so-and-so, having accomplished the ten qualities, wishes to appear before the Saṅgha to request the kammavācā for taking a disciple. Since the Saṅgha consents through silence, I record the matter as such.

This bhikkhunī must then appear before the Saṅgha, kneel, join her palms together, and make the following request:

—May the noble Saṅgha listen. I, so-and-so, having completed twelve rains-retreats and accomplished the ten qualities, now request of the Saṅgha the kammavācā for taking a disciple. I respectfully ask the Saṅgha to grant me the kammavācā for taking a disciple. (The request is made in this way three times.) The one performing the kammavācā should then speak as follows:

—May the noble Saṅgha listen. The bhikkhunī so-and-so, having completed twelve rains-retreats and accomplished the ten qualities, has requested of the Saṅgha the kammavācā for taking a disciple. If the time is right for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha now grants to the bhikkhunī so-and-so—who has accomplished the ten qualities—the kammavācā for taking a disciple. This is the motion.

—May the noble Saṅgha listen. The bhikkhunī so-and-so—having completed twelve rains-retreats and accomplished the ten qualities—has requested of the Saṅgha the kammavācā for taking a disciple. The Saṅgha now grants to the bhikkhunī so-and-so the kammavācā for taking a disciple. Those among the noble ones who consent to granting the bhikkhunī so-and-so the kammavācā for taking a disciple should remain silent; those who do not consent should speak. This is the first kammavācā. (The second and third are spoken in the same manner.)

The Saṅgha has consented to grant the bhikkhunī so-and-so the kammavācā for taking a disciple, having remained silent. I record the matter as such.

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

—If a bhikkhunī who has accomplished the ten qualities takes a disciple without performing the kammavācā, she commits a pāyattika offense.

EXPLANATION:

Accomplishing the ten qualities: As stated above.

Without performing the kammavācā: Not performing the kammavācā before the Saṅgha is called not performing the kammavācā. Furthermore, if the ten qualities are not complete, this too is called not performing the kammavācā. However, even if a kammavācā is performed but the motion is not properly stated, the assembly of the Saṅgha is not accomplished, and the kammavācā is not accomplished—this too is called not performing the kammavācā. If one who has taken a disciple wishes to confer full ordination upon that disciple without performing the kammavācā, she commits a pāyattika 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