Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 27Travelling on a Boat With a Nun

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

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

27. RULE: MAKING AN APPOINTMENT TO TRAVEL ON A BOAT TOGETHER WITH A NUN.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above, at that time there was an auspicious day, and early in the morning men and women had gathered at the river Aciravatī for recreation, eating, drinking, and singing. On that day, the group of six bhikkhus rose at dawn, put on their robes, and went to where the group of six bhikkhunīs were, asking: "Today is an auspicious day — do you have any food and drink?

Let us go together to visit that river." The group of six bhikkhunīs replied: "We are making preparations now; venerable ones, please go and find a vehicle and a boat." The group of six bhikkhus then went to the king's boat-keeper and borrowed a fine boat along with various decorations. They loaded the provisions onto the boat, and together with the bhikkhunīs they rowed along with the current, amusing themselves and joking about, causing people of the world to reproach them, saying: "Look at those!

These Samaṇa disciples of the Sakyan are dissolute and without virtue, just like worldly people consorting with one another. They are corrupt — what moral conduct do they have!"

The bhikkhus heard this and reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha then ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha asked: "Did this matter truly occur as reported?"

— It truly happened thus, Blessed One.

— That is a bad thing. From now on you must not make an appointment with bhikkhunīs to travel together on a boat.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, at that time a donor living on the far bank of the river Aciravatī invited both assemblies — bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs — to receive a meal. When the time came to cross the river, the bhikkhus would not allow the bhikkhunīs to board the boats; some went one to a boat, some two to a boat, and they did not carry the bhikkhunīs, so three or four boats were very lightly loaded.

After the bhikkhus had crossed the river, they then ferried the bhikkhunīs across, and by the time the bhikkhunīs arrived at the place for the meal and had been seated in order of seniority, the sun had already passed noon, and therefore no one was able to eat. Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī also was unable to eat. She then went to where the Buddha was, bowed her head and paid homage at the Buddha's feet, and stood to one side.

Though the Buddha knew, he still asked: "Gotamī, why do you look so exhausted?" Mahāpajāpatī then reported the entire matter fully to the Blessed One. The Buddha thereupon instructed: "From now on I permit crossing the ferry together." The Buddha then commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for ten benefits he laid down a rule for the bhikkhus, which even those who have heard it must hear again:

"If a bhikkhu makes an appointment with a bhikkhunī to travel together on the same boat going downstream or upstream, except for crossing a ferry, he commits a Pācittiya offence."

Explanation

Making an appointment: As stated above.

Except for crossing a ferry: The Blessed One declares there is no offence.

Pācittiya: As stated above.

If a bhikkhu and a bhikkhunī make an appointment to travel together in the same carriage, and they pass through the extent of one village, he commits one Pācittiya offence. If they travel through a wilderness with no settlements, then for each distance of one krośa they pass through, he commits one Pācittiya offence.

If a bhikkhu is travelling on the same ferry as a bhikkhunī, and when the ferry stops at the riverbank the bhikkhunī disembarks to attend to her bodily needs, and when the boat is about to depart the bhikkhu calls to the bhikkhunī: "Sister, come now" — this constitutes making an appointment. If the bhikkhu lifts one foot to board, he commits a Dukkhaṭa offence. If he lifts both feet, he commits a Pācittiya offence.

If both parties made an appointment but neither arrives, he commits a Dukkhaṭa offence.

If there was no appointment and one arrives, there is no offence.

If there was an appointment and both arrive, he commits a Pācittiya offence.

If there was no appointment and neither arrives, there is no offence.

The remaining four cases are as above. Therefore it is said (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHĀBHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH