Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 16Encroaching on a Monastic

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– EXPLAINING THE THIRD SECTION OF THE SINGLE EXPIATION RULES

16. RULE: EXPELLING ANOTHER BHIKKHU FROM HIS LODGING.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, a visiting bhikkhu came to the lodging of the group of six bhikkhus. The group of six bhikkhus said: "Welcome, Venerable!" Having said this, they provided him with water for washing his feet, oil for anointing his feet, and drinking water, and allowed him to rest. After he had rested, they asked the visiting bhikkhu: "Venerable, where do you intend to stay?"

—Right here in this lodging.

—Do you know whose lodging this is?

—I know this is the Sangha's lodging.

—Although this lodging belongs to the Sangha, we, the group of six bhikkhus, were already residing here first.

—This lodging belongs to the Sangha of the four directions. Even if sixteen bhikkhus had been residing here first, I would still take my place here in proper order—how much more so with only six bhikkhus?

—If the Venerable wishes to stay, then stay.

After the visiting bhikkhu had settled there, the group of six bhikkhus burst in. Some seized his hands and feet, others grabbed his head, lifting him up and intending to throw him out of the lodging. At that moment, the Blessed One, traveling through the air by means of his supernormal power, arrived overhead. Seeing the Blessed One, the group of six bhikkhus threw the bhikkhu down to the ground and departed. The Buddha then said to the visiting bhikkhu: "You may continue to stay in this lodging."

Furthermore, the Venerable Nanda was the elder brother of Upananda. Nanda had an attendant disciple who, after being driven out of the lodging, cried out loudly. The bhikkhus who heard his cry were alarmed and went to see, and they said: "This bhikkhu today has suffered two losses: he did not get to eat, and he has also lost his lodging." The bhikkhus then brought this matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha questioned Nanda and Upananda: "Is it true that you acted in this way?" They replied: "It is true."

The Buddha then rebuked them: "Why did you, while residing in the Sangha's lodging of the four directions, drag a visiting bhikkhu outside? That is wrong conduct. Have you never heard me, by means of countless skillful means, praise those of pure conduct and say that one must cultivate kindness and compassion in body, speech, and mind, and constantly make offerings and provide for visiting monastics? This is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, and goes against my teaching. It cannot be used to nurture wholesome states." The Buddha then commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits, he established this rule for the bhikkhus—those who have already heard it must hear it again:

"If a bhikkhu himself, or directs another, to drag a bhikkhu out of a Sangha lodging, or even says: 'Bhikkhu, you must leave'—he commits a Pācittiya offense."

Explanation

Bhikkhu: as described above.

If a bhikkhu drags another bhikkhu out of a lodging, and that bhikkhu clings to a pillar, or grasps a door panel, or leans against a wall, and the dragging bhikkhu pulls him away from each place in turn, he incurs a separate Pācittiya offense for each. Or if he uses words to rebuke and drive away that bhikkhu, and that bhikkhu moves away from each place in response to the rebukes, he incurs a separate Pācittiya offense for each. If he uses means to expel him directly through the door, he incurs one Pācittiya offense.

If a bhikkhu, angry at mice or snakes, drives them away, he commits a Duḷḷantivinaya offense. But if he says, "These are harmful things," and drives them away, there is no offense.

If camels, cattle, or horses are standing within the grounds of a shrine or stūpa, and a bhikkhu drives them away out of concern for defiling the shrine or stūpa, there is no offense.

If a bhikkhu expels another bhikkhu, he commits a Pācittiya offense. If he expels a bhikkhunī, he commits a Thullaccaya offense.

If he expels a Sikkhāmānā, a sāmaṇera, or a sāmaṇerī, he commits a Duḷḷantivinaya offense. Finally, if he even expels a layperson, he commits a Duḷḷantivinaya offense requiring repentance by mental acknowledgment. Therefore it is said (as above).

MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

End of the Fourteenth Volume.

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH