Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 15Leaving Bedding Outside

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– EXPLAINING THE THIRD SECTION OF THE SINGLE RULES

15. RULE: SPREADING THE SANGHA'S FURNISHINGS IN A SHELTERED PLACE.

When the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time a brahmin invited the Sangha to stay and offered them food and drink and robes. The monks laid out the sitting-furnishings in the monastery rooms and departed without putting them away.

The Blessed One, for the sake of five benefits, made a round of inspection of the monks' rooms every five days. He saw that on those furnishings there were mouse droppings, cockroach droppings, and dirty dust and grime; though he already knew, the Buddha still asked about it. The monks then reported the circumstances to the Blessed One.

The Buddha thereupon addressed the monks: "You are those who have gone forth from home life; there is no one to look after your affairs before and after your departure. Why, when you leave, do you not put your belongings away? This is not in accordance with the Dharma, not in accordance with the Vinaya, it goes against the Buddha's teaching, and it cannot serve to nurture wholesome qualities." Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the monks dwelling at Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he established this rule for the monks, which all must hear again even if they have heard it before: "If a monk himself spreads out a bed or mattress, or has another person spread it out, in a sheltered place, and upon departing does not put it away himself,

nor instructs another to put it away, he commits a Pācittiya offence."

Explanation

In a sheltered place: That is, a covered or enclosed location.

Beds and chairs: Comprising fourteen types as described above.

Cushions and mattresses: Also as described above.

Spreads out: Either spreading it out oneself, or instructing another to spread it out.

Departing: Going to another place.

Does not put it away himself: Does not personally put it away.

Does not instruct another to put it away: Does not instruct another person to put it away — this constitutes a Pācittiya offence.

If a monk wishes to depart for another place, before leaving he must sprinkle water and sweep the room, wipe the floor clean with a cloth, and then take the blankets and cushions out to dry. He should then say to the keeper of the blankets and cushions: "Venerable, here are the beds, blankets, and cushions." He must without fail leave such instructions. If the keeper of the bedding is of junior standing, that person should reply: "I will put the bedding away." If the keeper of the bedding is of senior standing, when the other returns the bedding, he should respond: "Very well." If one departs without making this declaration, a Pācittiya offence is committed.

If one departs without making the declaration and another monk then comes to occupy the room so that it is no longer empty, a Duṭṭhulla offence is committed. If, after having departed, one realizes one has forgotten one's robe and bowl and returns to retrieve them, and makes the declaration on that occasion, there is no offence.

If a monk is travelling along a road when the sky grows overcast and rain appears imminent, and a younger monk goes ahead and returns to the monastery, takes the bedding of the preceptor or ācārya and puts it away, then when the weather clears and departure is desired, one must inform the preceptor. If one departs without informing him, a Pācittiya offence is committed.

If several monks stop to rest at a monastery in a village, each receiving bedding belonging to the Sangha, and each thinks upon departing: "So-and-so will instruct them to put it away" — and then, having gone halfway along the road, each asks the others, and it turns out that no one has given the instruction — then at that point two persons should be sent back to give the instruction to put the bedding away.

If monks travelling along a road stop to rest at a monastery, and upon departing fail to instruct the monastery's steward to put away the bedding, and after travelling some distance they inquire among themselves and discover that no one has given the instruction — and at that moment they happen to meet another monk coming from the opposite direction — they should ask him: "Venerable, where are you going?" If he replies: "I am going to such-and-such a place," the other monks should say to him: "Last night we rested there, but upon departing we forgot to instruct them to put away the bedding.

Please, Venerable, when you arrive there, give the instruction on our behalf." That monk may also say: "When I departed I also forgot to give the instruction; therefore, when you venerables reach that monastery, please give the instruction on my behalf." In this way both parties entrust the matter to one another, and as long as both arrive within the boundary of each respective monastery, this is considered to have been properly instructed.

If a monk stays overnight at a layperson's home and they provide him with beds, mattresses, and sitting-furnishings, upon departing he should remind them to put the furnishings away. If the furnishings are grass mats, when leaving he should ask them: "Where should this grass mat be stored?" Then, wherever the householder indicates, he should place it there. If the donor says: "Please go ahead, Teacher; I will tidy it up," the monk should fold it into a small bundle and then depart.

If a monk, while travelling along a road, arrives at a certain place and parts the grass to spread out a sitting mat, upon departing he must smooth the grass back into place before leaving. Therefore it is said (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

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

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH