Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 10Annoyance

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

– EXPLICATING THE THIRD SECTION OF THE SINGLE EXPIATION RULES

10. PRECEPT: DISPARAGING THE RULES OF THE PRECEPTS.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as explained in detail above. At that time, the Sangha recited the Prātimokṣa (the precepts) every fortnight. When they recited the four matters (Pārājika), the group of six bhikkhus remained silent; when they reached the thirteen matters (Saṃghāvaśeṣa), they became angry; when they reached the thirty matters (Niḥsargika), they made a commotion; and when they reached the ninety-two matters (Pācittiya), they stood up and spoke thus: "Venerable Elders, who could possibly observe all those precepts — why recite them? Perhaps only the devas could keep those precepts. This only causes the bhikkhus to give rise to doubt and regret." At that moment, the one reciting the Prātimokṣa was overcome with shame.

The bhikkhus then reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked: "Is it true that you have done such a thing?"

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

The Buddha then rebuked them: "That is a wrongful act. The Tathāgata established the fortnightly recitation of the Prātimokṣa in order to bring benefit to his disciples. Why did you treat it with contempt, criticize it, and obstruct the recitation of the precepts? This is conduct contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to the Buddha's teaching, and cannot serve to cultivate wholesome qualities." The Buddha then commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits, he laid down this precept for the bhikkhus, so that even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

"If, during the fortnightly recitation of the Prātimokṣa, a bhikkhu shows contempt or disparages the precepts, saying: 'Venerable Elders, why recite these trifling and miscellaneous precepts every fortnight, causing the bhikkhus to give rise to doubt and regret?' — he commits a Pācittiya offense."

Explanation

Fortnight: Either fourteen days or fifteen days.

Prātimokṣa: It is the ten precepts of essential nature.

Recitation: The harmonious Sangha recites together every fortnight, fortnight by fortnight.

Trifling and miscellaneous precepts: This refers to all the other celestial precepts, with the exception of the four matters (Pārājika) and the thirteen matters (Saṃghāvaśeṣa).

Causing the bhikkhus to give rise to doubt and regret: (Whoever speaks thus) commits a Pācittiya offense.

Contempt and disparagement: There are three cases: either disparaging before the recitation; or disparaging during the recitation; or disparaging after the recitation has ended.

Disparaging before the recitation: Before the recitation, one speaks thus: "Venerable Elder, do not bother reciting those trifling precepts. I want the recitation to be finished as quickly as possible." This is called disparaging before the recitation.

Disparaging during the recitation: While the precepts are being recited, one speaks thus: "Venerable Elder, why recite those trifling precepts, causing the bhikkhus to have doubt and regret?" This is called disparaging during the recitation.

Disparaging after the recitation: When the recitation has ended, one immediately says: "Why did you just now recite all those trifling precepts? Why did you recite every last one of the precepts and make me sit so long that I am utterly exhausted?" This is called disparaging after the recitation has ended.

Disparaging before the recitation: one commits a Vinayātikrama offense. Disparaging during the recitation: one commits a Pācittiya offense. Disparaging after the recitation: one commits a Vinayātikrama offense to be confessed through mental recollection. Therefore it is said:

Translated into Vietnamese by: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Translated into Chinese by: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH