Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 46Living With an Ejected Monastic

– MAHĀSĀṄGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

– EXPLAINING THE SIXTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

46. PRECEPT: DISTORTING THE DHARMA AND REFUSING ADMONISHMENT.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, as described in detail above. At that time, the Venerable Ariṭṭha slandered the canonical scriptures, saying: "As I understand the Dharma taught by the Tathāgata, those things which he calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever." The bhikkhus then said: "Elder Ariṭṭha, do not slander the canonical scriptures.

That is a wrong view, an unwholesome view; it will lead to falling into evil destinations and descending into hell." They admonished him once, twice, three times, yet he did not desist. The bhikkhus then brought the matter before the Blessed One: "Blessed One, Ariṭṭha slanders the canonical scriptures, saying: 'As I understand it, those things taught by the Tathāgata which he calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever.' We have admonished him once, twice, three times, yet he has not desisted."

The Buddha then said to the bhikkhus: "That bhikkhu Ariṭṭha slanders the canonical scriptures, saying: 'As I understand it, those things taught by the Tathāgata which he calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever.' Having been admonished once, twice, three times, he still does not desist. You should go to a secluded place and admonish him three times, then admonish him in the midst of many people three times, and then admonish him in the midst of the Sangha three times.

When admonishing him in a secluded place, ask as follows: 'Elder Ariṭṭha, is it true that you slander the canonical scriptures, saying: "As I understand it, those things taught by the Tathāgata which he calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever," and that having been admonished three times you have not abandoned this view?' If he answers: 'That is so,' then at that point, admonish him in the secluded place as follows: 'Ariṭṭha, you are slandering the canonical scriptures.

This is a wrong view, an unwholesome view; it will lead to falling into evil destinations and descending into hell. Elder, I admonish you out of compassion, wishing for your benefit. Therefore, please abandon this.

The first admonishment is complete; there are two more admonishments remaining. Please abandon this matter.'"

Ariṭṭha said: "This is a good view, a wholesome view. From the time I took it up, my parents, friends, and acquaintances have also regularly applied this view. Now I cannot abandon this view without first consulting my parents, friends, and acquaintances."

Then, if after the second and third admonishments he still does not desist, and even after three admonishments among many people he still does not desist, one must go before the Sangha and perform the kammavācā of requesting to be heard, saying as follows: "May the venerable Sangha listen! Ariṭṭha slanders the canonical scriptures, saying: 'As I understand it, those things taught by the Tathāgata which he calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever.' He has been admonished three times in a secluded place and three times in the midst of many people, yet has still not abandoned this. If it is agreeable to the Sangha, let the Sangha now admonish him again three times in the midst of the Sangha, so that he will abandon this."

In the midst of the Sangha, one should ask: "Elder Ariṭṭha, is it true that you slander the canonical scriptures, saying: 'As I understand it, those things taught by the Tathāgata which he calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever,' and that having been admonished three times in a secluded place and three times in the midst of many people, you have still not abandoned this?"

If he answers: "That is so," then in the midst of the Sangha one should admonish him. The manner of admonishment should be spoken as follows: "Ariṭṭha, do not slander the canonical scriptures. To slander the canonical scriptures leads to falling into evil destinations and descending into hell. Elder, the Sangha wishes for your benefit; you must heed the Sangha. The first admonishment is complete; there are two more admonishments remaining. You must abandon this."

Ariṭṭha again said: "This is a good view, a wholesome view. Beginning from my parents, all have inherited and applied this view. I cannot abandon this view without consulting my parents."

Although admonished a second and third time, he still did not desist. Therefore, the bhikkhus brought the matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha then said to the bhikkhus: "If bhikkhu Ariṭṭha slanders the canonical scriptures, saying: 'As I understand the Dharma taught by the Tathāgata, those things which he calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever,' and having been admonished three times in a secluded place, three times in the midst of many people, and three times in the midst of the Sangha, still does not abandon this, then you should perform the kammavācā of censure against bhikkhu Ariṭṭha."

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits, established this precept for the bhikkhus; even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhu says: "Elders, I understand the Dharma taught by the Blessed One thus: those things which the Blessed One calls obstructions to the path, when one practices them, are in no way obstructions to the path whatsoever," then the bhikkhus should admonish that bhikkhu, saying: "Elder, do not slander the Blessed One. To slander the Blessed One is unwholesome. The Blessed One did not say that.

The Blessed One, in saying that certain things are obstructions to the path, truly means they are obstructions to the path. Please abandon this." If the bhikkhus admonish that bhikkhu and he still stubbornly refuses to abandon it, they should admonish him in this way a second and third time. (After three admonishments,) if he abandons it, that is good; if he does not abandon it, the Sangha should perform the kammavācā of censure.

After the kammavācā has been performed, (that bhikkhu) commits a pācittiya offense.

Explanation

Bhikkhu: As stated above.

Blessed One: He who possesses omniscience and universal vision.

Dharma: Those things spoken by the Blessed One; those things approved by the Blessed One.

Spoken by the Blessed One: Spoken directly by the Blessed One himself.

Approved: Things spoken by disciples and then confirmed and approved by the Blessed One.

Saying: Uttering clearly, sentence by sentence.

Understanding: That is, understanding that belongs to superior wisdom.

Obstructions to the path: With regard to the five sense-desires — the eye seeing form giving rise to clinging, longing, and mental desire and attachment; and likewise with the ear, nose, tongue, and body in their sensations.

Practicing: Performing that act.

In no way obstructions: Not obstructing the First Jhāna, Second Jhāna, Third Jhāna, Fourth Jhāna, nor the fruits of stream-entry, once-returning, non-returning, and arahantship.

The bhikkhus: Either one person, or many persons, or the Sangha community.

That bhikkhu: Such as bhikkhu Ariṭṭha.

Do not slander the Blessed One: (Do not) hold on to what is untrue; do not hold on to what is unwholesome.

Admonishment three times: Either (in the presence of) one person, or (in the presence of) many people, or (in the midst of) the Sangha.

Pācittiya: As stated above; up to three admonishments — if one abandons it, that is good; if one does not abandon it, the Sangha should perform the kammavācā of censure requiring pācittiya confession.

Therefore it is said (as above).

MAHĀSĀṄGHIKA VINAYA

End of the Seventeenth Fascicle

Translated into Vietnamese by: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṄGHIKA VINAYA

Translated into Chinese by: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

VERIFIED FOR MEANING BY: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH