Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 21Instruction

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– DETAILED EXPLANATION of the fourth section of the NINETY-TWO SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

21. RULE: GOING TO INSTRUCT NUNS WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above; at that time the elder bhikkhus were assigned in order to go and instruct the bhikkhunīs, but Nanda and Upananda had not been assigned in order to give instruction, so they said to one another: "All the elder bhikkhus have been assigned in order to go and instruct the bhikkhunīs, yet we have not been assigned in order to give instruction.

Let us therefore go now and give instruction on our own." Then they thought: "Before whose turn should we go? Before that of Mahā Moggallāna? But that venerable one possesses great supernormal powers — if we were to commit some fault, he might seize us and hurl us off to some distant world.

Let us then go ahead of the turn of the Venerable Mahā Kassapa. But that venerable one has great majesty and severity — if we were to say something unreasonable, he could humiliate us before the entire assembly. The Venerable Sāriputta alone is gentle and mild; let us take his place in the order." Having thought thus, they proceeded in his order, rose very early in the morning, put on their robes, went to the gate of the bhikkhunīs' monastery, and announced: "Sisters, please gather together in harmony — we have come to give instruction."

At that time the bhikkhunīs then assembled the community of nuns to receive instruction. This bhikkhu Nanda was widely learned, possessed eloquence, and was skilled in expounding the Dharma; he thereupon expounded the Dharma to the assembly of bhikkhunīs as occasion suited.

Just then, when the time came for the Venerable Sāriputta to go and give instruction, he put on his robes, went to the gate of the bhikkhunīs' monastery, and stood there, and heard the sound of Dharma being taught. At that moment the bhikkhunīs, seeing the Venerable Sāriputta from afar, did not come out through the gate to receive him, out of reverence for the Dharma. The Venerable Sāriputta, observing what had occurred, thought: "I should not now interrupt this Dharma teaching," and turned back. He went to where the Buddha was, bowed his head and paid homage at the Buddha's feet, then stood to one side. The Buddha knew, yet still asked Sāriputta: "Have you finished instructing the bhikkhunīs?"

— I did not give instruction, Blessed One.

— Why not?

Sāriputta then reported the full circumstances of the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately had Nanda and Upananda summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

— Did this thing truly occur?

— It truly did, Blessed One.

Why did you go to instruct the bhikkhunīs without being appointed by the Saṅgha? That is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching; such conduct cannot serve to nurture wholesome states.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down a rule for the bhikkhus — one which, even if already heard, must be heard again:

"If a bhikkhu who has not been appointed by the Saṅgha goes to instruct bhikkhunīs, he commits a Pācittiya."

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHHADRA OF INDIA

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

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH