Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 22Instructing Nuns After Sunset

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

– EXPLICATING the fourth section of the NINETY-TWO SINGLE EXPIATORY RULES.

22. RULE: INSTRUCTING NUNS UNTIL NIGHTFALL.

When the Buddha was residing at the city of Śrāvastī, as described in full above, at that time the elder monks were taking turns going to instruct the nuns. However, when it was the Venerable Nanda's turn to go and instruct the nuns, he refused to go. This caused the nun Mahāprajāpatī Gautamī to go to the place where the Buddha was, bow her head and pay homage at the Buddha's feet, and then address the Buddha, saying: "Blessed One, the Venerable Nanda's turn has come to go and instruct the nuns, yet he refuses to go. Who, then, should go?" Having said this, she bowed her head and paid homage at the Buddha's feet and then departed.

The Buddha immediately told a monk to go and summon Nanda. When he arrived, the Buddha asked: "When it was your turn to go and instruct the nuns, why did you not go?"

—Blessed One, it is because the Saṅgha has not yet performed a kammavācā appointing me to go; therefore I did not go.

The Buddha then said to the monks: "One who has accomplished twelve qualities should be appointed by the Saṅgha to go and instruct the nuns." What are these twelve qualities? They are:

1. Pure observance of the precepts.

2. Extensive study of the Abhidharma.

3. Thorough understanding of the Vinaya.

4. Study of the precepts.

5. Study of concentration.

6. Study of wisdom.

7. Ability to eliminate wrong views and false views in others.

8. Strict personal observance of the precepts, and ability to serve as an example to others.

9. Proficiency in language and reasoning.

10. Not defiling the holy life.

11. Not rejoicing in the destruction of the major precepts of nuns.

12. Having completed twenty rains-retreats, or more than twenty.

These are the twelve qualities.

The one performing the kammavācā should make the formal motion (ñatti) as follows:

—May the venerable Saṅgha listen! The Venerable Nanda has accomplished the twelve qualities. The Saṅgha now appoints Nanda to instruct the nuns. Those venerable ones who consent to Nanda instructing the nuns should remain silent; those who do not consent should speak.

The Saṅgha has consented to appoint Nanda to instruct the nuns, for the Saṅgha has remained silent. Therefore, this matter shall be carried out accordingly.

Thereafter, the Venerable Nanda went there and taught the Dharma to the nuns, continuing until the sun set. The nuns then hurried back into the city, and people who saw this criticized them, saying: "These Śākyan renunciants have led these nuns out for pleasure until the sun set before returning. How pitiable is the lot of women, who have no freedom! To behave like this is truly the conduct of those who are corrupt—what religious virtue do they possess?"

The monks heard this and brought the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered Nanda to be summoned. When he arrived, the Buddha asked: "Did this matter truly occur as described?"

—It did indeed, Blessed One.

—This is a wrongful act—not in accordance with the Dharma, not in accordance with the Vinaya, contrary to my teachings. It cannot be used to nurture wholesome qualities.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the monks dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a rule for the monks, which must be heard even by those who have already heard it:

"If a monk appointed by the Saṅgha to instruct nuns remains from sunset until dawn has not yet appeared, he commits a pācittiya offense."

Explanation

Appointed by the Saṅgha: One who has accomplished the twelve qualities. The assembly is complete, the formal motion is complete, and the kammavācā is complete.

Instruct: Either teaching the Abhidharma, or teaching the Vinaya.

Nightfall: From the time the sun sets until sunlight has not yet appeared.

Pācittiya: As stated above.

If the sun has set and one believes it has not yet set, and continues instructing, one commits a Vinaya transgression (dukkhaṭa).

If the sun has not yet set and one believes it has already set, one also commits a Vinaya transgression.

If the sun has set and one believes it has set, yet continues instructing, one commits a pācittiya offense.

If the sun has not yet set and one believes it has not yet set, there is no offense.

The four cases concerning the dawn mark (the appearance of morning light) are likewise the same.

If one takes a nun to be a śikṣamāṇā and instructs her, one commits a pācittiya offense.

If one takes a śikṣamāṇā to be a nun and instructs her, one commits a Vinaya transgression.

If one takes a śikṣamāṇā to be a śikṣamāṇā and instructs her, there is no offense.

If one takes a nun to be a nun and instructs her until nightfall, one commits a pācittiya offense.

For novice nuns, women who have gone forth from other traditions, and female lay followers, the four cases are likewise the same.

If a nun at night pays homage at a monk's feet, and the monk says: "May you be free from suffering and attain liberation," he commits a pācittiya offense. If he says: "Good; you have come," there is no offense.

If during the night the fourfold assembly gathers to hear the Dharma, and a monk, with the intention of teaching the Dharma specifically to the nuns, speaks about the sūtras concerning the going forth of Mahāprajāpatī, the Sūtra of Kṛṣṇagautamī, and the Sūtra on the Dharma for Nuns Who Have Entered the Stream, he commits a pācittiya offense. If he has only ever studied these sūtras and knows no others, and recites them in sequence, there is no offense.

If at night a monk, sitting on a high seat and teaching the Dharma, says: "Let all the assembly sit and listen attentively," he commits a pācittiya offense. If he does not say this but simply proceeds to teach the Dharma, there is no offense. 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

REVIEWER: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH