Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 45Obstructions

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– DETAILED EXPOSITION OF THE SIXTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

45. RULE: CAUSING ANOTHER TO GO HUNGRY.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. At that time Upananda—the younger brother of Nanda—said to a disciple who was a companion of Nanda as follows: "Come with me into the village; at a certain house I will give you good food. If I do anything contrary to proper conduct, do not speak of it to others.

I am your uncle (as was made clear in the thirtieth rule)"—and so on, until he spoke to Nanda: "Why does your disciple speak of my faults in the presence of those who live the holy life?" Nanda then rebuked his disciple: "You wretched one, why did you speak of my younger brother's faults in the presence of those who live the holy life?" The monks then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately had Upananda summoned.

When he had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did you truly do such a thing?

—It is truly so, Blessed One.

—Upananda, that is a wrongful act. Why did you say to that monk: "Come with me into the village; at a certain house I will give you good food"—yet upon arriving there, you told him to go back? From now on I do not permit telling them to go back.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed all the monks dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for ten reasons he laid down this rule for the monks—that even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

—If a monk says to another monk: "Come with me into the village; at a certain house I will give you food"—whether giving it himself or having another give it—and thereafter wishes to drive him away, saying: "Go on your way. It is not pleasant for me to stay with you or to talk with you. It is more pleasant for me to live alone and to speak alone." If he drives him away citing only this reason and no other reason, he commits a Pācittiya offence.

Explanation

Monk: as stated above.

Village: as stated in the rule on theft above.

Thereafter not giving: Neither giving oneself nor having another give, and speaking incorrectly: "Venerable, please go on your way. It is not pleasant for me to stay with you or to talk with you. It is more pleasant for me to live alone and to speak alone"—driving him away in this manner: this is a Pācittiya offence.

Pācittiya: as stated above.

If, wishing to do something contrary to proper conduct along the way, one keeps that person back in the monastery, this is a Dukkhaṭa offence.

If, wishing to do something contrary to proper conduct along the way, one sends that person back right in the middle of the road, this is a Dukkhaṭa offence.

If, wishing to do something contrary to proper conduct in the village, one drives that person away right within the village, this is a Pācittiya offence.

One should not lead someone along and then drive them back. If it is not possible to beg enough food for two people, one may send the other person back without offence.

If it is possible to beg enough food for two people, one should eat together. If one sends the other to fetch medicine or to invite a physician, there is no offence.

If one has been unable to obtain alms and at that moment intends to send the other away, but there is a place where food has been offered, one should direct that person to go to where the food has been offered so that he may eat. If there is no place where food has been offered but there is food in the monastery, one should tell him to return to the monastery to eat. If there is no place where food has been offered and there is also no food in the monastery, one should say to that person: "Venerable, please go and seek food for yourself." If that person is acting contrary to proper conduct, looking about improperly, sending him away is without offence.

Or if one sends that person to do various tasks such as fumigating bowls or dyeing robes, there is no offence.

In summary: if one drives away a monk, this is a Pācittiya offence; if one drives away a nun, this is a Thullaccaya offence; if one drives away a female probationer, a novice monk, or a novice nun, this is a Dukkhaṭa offence; and finally, if one drives away a lay person, this is a Dukkhaṭa offence to be confessed mentally. Therefore it is said (as above).

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