Lzh Mg Bi Vb Ss 12Encouraging Receiving Food From One With Lust

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PRECEPTS OF THE BHIKKHUNĪS

– EXPOSITION OF THE FIRST PART OF THE 19 SAṂGHĀVAŚEṢA RULES

12. PRECEPT: ENCOURAGING ANOTHER TO ACT CONTRARY TO THE DHAMMA.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Rājagṛha, the Blessed One had established a rule forbidding bhikkhunīs from receiving robes, bowls, food and drink, or medicine from men whose minds were defiled. Thus Bhikkhunī Śroṭī did not accept the robes offered by a householder. Thereupon Bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā asked Śroṭī: "Why do you not accept the offerings of this man? What does it matter to you whether a man's mind is defiled or not? As long as your own mind is not defiled, you may accept and make use of them as you see fit."

The bhikkhunīs then admonished that bhikkhunī, saying: "Do not speak thus: 'What does it matter to you whether a man's mind is defiled or not? As long as your own mind is not defiled, you may accept and make use of them as you see fit.'" They admonished her in this way a second and a third time, yet she would not desist.

The bhikkhunīs then reported the matter to Mahāprajāpatī. Mahāprajāpatī in turn presented it before the Blessed One. The Buddha had that bhikkhunī summoned. When she arrived, the Buddha asked:

— Is this matter true?

— It is true, Blessed One!

— That is an unlawful act. Why did you tell another to accept offerings from one whose mind is defiled? This is contrary to the Dhamma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching, and cannot be used to nurture wholesome states.

The Buddha then instructed Mahāprajāpatī to summon all the bhikkhunīs residing in Rājagṛha, so that all should assemble — even those who had already heard this were to hear it again:

— If a bhikkhunī says to another bhikkhunī: "You should accept the offerings of this man — what does it matter whether his mind is defiled or not? That is of no concern to you. As long as your own mind is not defiled, you should accept and make use of them as you see fit" — then the bhikkhunīs should admonish that bhikkhunī thus: "Do not speak as follows: 'You should accept those offerings — what does it matter to you whether that man's mind is defiled or not? As long as your own mind is not defiled, you should accept and make use of them as you see fit.'" After admonishing her in this way a second and a third time, if she desists, that is good; if she does not desist, she incurs a primary offense of Saṃghāvaśeṣa.

EXPLANATION:

A bhikkhunī who speaks such words: such as Bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā.

Accepting an offering: such as Bhikkhunī Śroṭī.

When the bhikkhunīs admonish that bhikkhunī to desist from such conduct, and she does not desist, and having been admonished through three stages, she incurs an offense of Saṃghāvaśeṣa. Therefore the Blessed One spoke thus (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHĀDRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH