Lzh Mg Bu Vb Np 20Trading With Money

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– NIḤSARGIKA [RULES]

– ON THE SECOND SECTION OF THE THIRTY NIḤSARGIKA PĀYATTIKA RULES

20. RULE: TRADING IN GOLD AND SILVER.

When the Buddha was residing at the Gabled Hall in the Great Forest near the city of Vesālī, as described in full above. At that time, Nanda and Upananda purchased gold from the royal households and had the goldsmiths of those households fashion it into ornamental bead necklaces. When the work was finished, they polished and buffed the pieces until they gleamed, then placed them inside a carrying case, draped a length of blue lotus-colored silk over the top, and handed it to a novice, instructing him: "I will lead you to the homes of the nobility; if I tell you to open the lid of the case, open it only just enough to reveal one corner." They then led the novice to the homes of the nobility.

The women of those households, seeing them arrive, came forward, bowed their heads to the ground in respectful greeting, stood to one side in attendance, and asked: "What is inside this case?"

They replied: "Why do you ask about this? This is not something you need to inquire about."

Because they were not permitted to look, the women earnestly said to the novice: "Open it and let us see."

The novice then opened it slightly, revealing just one corner. The blue color set off the luster of the necklace all the more vividly, and when sunlight fell upon it, it blazed and dazzled the eyes. The women then asked: "Whose is this?"

They replied: "Why do you ask? Whoever brings the gold and has it made is the owner."

The women then asked: "What is the price of the gold?"

They replied truthfully: "The price of the gold is such-and-such, and the workmanship fee is such-and-such."

The women exclaimed in admiration: "It is truly a great treasure!"

They said: "Why do you disparage something of value? If I give you that sum of money, could you produce the same?"

Among those present, some spoke honestly: "Just as the venerable teacher says, it would indeed be very difficult to make; one could not produce it quickly."

Among those women, there was one who had private funds of her own, or funds from her parents, or property from her mother-in-law, or property from an uncle, or property from her husband, or funds held in trust for the family, and she purchased the necklace. Because at that time this person had not bought gold at a shop, nor hired a goldsmith to make it, the shop owners and goldsmiths all criticized them, saying: "Why do the Sakyan monastics rob people of their livelihood?"

The monks then brought this matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha ordered that Nanda and Upananda be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha questioned them: "Is it true that you purchased gold from the royal households and had goldsmiths fashion it into ornaments?"

They replied: "It is true, Blessed One."

The Buddha rebuked them: "This is wrong; that is a bad thing. Have you not heard me, by many skillful means, censure covetousness and praise contentment? That is unlawful, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching, and cannot be used to cultivate wholesome qualities." Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the monks dwelling in Vesālī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down a rule for the monks, which all must hear, even those who have already heard it:

"If a monk engages in trading in jātarūpa or rūpiya, he commits a Niḥsargika Pāyattika offense."

Explanation

—Jātarūpa: Gold.

—Rūpiya: Silver.

Whether one exchanges gold for gold, gold for silver, gold for gold-and-silver; or silver for silver, silver for gold, silver for gold-and-silver; or gold-and-silver for silver, or gold-and-silver for gold-and-silver. Or exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which cannot be made into gold; or exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can be made into gold; or exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can or cannot be made into gold; or exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can be made into gold or cannot be made into gold.

Exchanging that which can be made into gold for that which can be made into gold in four cases; exchanging that which can be made into gold for that which cannot be made into gold in four cases; exchanging that which can or cannot be made into gold for that which can or cannot be made into gold in four cases—all as above. Or exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which cannot be made into silver, or exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can be made into silver; exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can or cannot be made into silver; exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can be made into silver or cannot be made into silver, and that which can or cannot be made into silver.

The categories involving that which can be made into gold—in four cases; that which can or cannot be made into gold—in four cases; that which can be made into gold or cannot be made into gold, and both that which can and cannot be made into gold—in four cases—are all as above. Or exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which cannot be made into gold-and-silver; exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can be made into gold-and-silver; exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can or cannot be made into gold-and-silver; exchanging that which cannot be made into gold for that which can be made and cannot be made into gold-and-silver.

Furthermore, fashioning implements of gold, not fashioning implements of gold, fashioning or not fashioning implements of gold in four cases—all as above. Regarding implements fashioned of silver, according to twelve methods in four cases, and alloyed gold-and-silver ornaments, according to twelve methods in four cases, these are also explained in full as above.

END OF THE SECOND SECTION OF NIḤSARGIKA.

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