Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 51Using Water With Living Creatures

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– CLEAR EXPLANATION OF THE SIXTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

51. RULE: BATHING BEYOND THE PERMITTED LIMIT.

When the Buddha was dwelling at Rājagaha, as described in full above. Rājagaha had three hot springs: the king's hot spring, the monks' hot spring, and the elephants' hot spring. At the king's hot spring, the king, his consorts of the inner palace, and the monks who were disciples of the Buddha would bathe. At the monks' hot spring, the Bhikkhu Saṅgha of the Buddha would bathe. At the elephants' hot spring, elephants and ordinary people would bathe. At that time, some monks went to bathe at the king's hot spring. Then the king, having anointed his body with oil and intending to go to the hot spring to bathe, asked the attendant in charge of the spring: "Is the hot spring unoccupied?"

—The spring is not unoccupied; there are monks bathing there.

—Let the monks finish bathing; I shall go to the Blessed One and return to bathe afterward.

The king then went to the Blessed One, bowed his head in reverence at the Buddha's feet, and returned. He again asked the attendant:

—Is the pool empty yet?

—Not yet empty.

This happened three times, and still the monks had not finished bathing. The king then said: "Just let them bathe; do not call them out. I shall return and bathe within the palace." When people heard this, they all reproached the monks, saying: "The Samaṇas, sons of the Śākyas, claim to be virtuous and of good conduct, yet they remain in the pool so long, not allowing the great king to bathe."

The monks, upon hearing this, reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha then said to the monks: "There is nowhere else where a king could be so exceedingly patient! From this time forth, I do not permit bathing in the king's pool."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, the Blessed One had laid down a rule forbidding bathing, and because the monks were not permitted to bathe, their bodies became dirty and malodorous. Then the Blessed One was teaching the Dharma to the monks.

The monks would always sit in a downwind position, fearing that the foul odor would defile those of pure conduct. Though the Buddha knew, he still asked: "Monks, why do you always sit in that one place, as though angry at someone?" The monks then reported to the Buddha: "Because the Blessed One has laid down a rule forbidding bathing, our bodies are dirty and malodorous. Fearing to defile those of pure conduct, we must sit downwind." The Buddha instructed: "From now on, I permit bathing once every half-month."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, in the hot months of spring, the monks could not bathe and so their bodies were itchy and irritated. Therefore they reported this matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha then instructed: "From now on, during the hot season I permit bathing for two and a half months: the last month and a half of spring and the first month of summer. That is what is called the two and a half months."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, after the rains retreat was completed, he traveled through the countryside together with the monks and came to the land of Kosala. Along the way they encountered a place of dense thickets and undergrowth, where hot air rose from below and the sun scorched from above, causing great suffering. The monks then ran swiftly toward a body of water, like deer running to a lake. Though the Buddha knew, he still asked the reason. The monks then fully recounted the matter—that because of such suffering they had rushed to the water. The Buddha then instructed: "From now on, I permit bathing when traveling on the road."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. For five reasons the Blessed One would make a round of the monks' quarters once every five days. He saw a monk suffering from a scabies condition; though he knew, the Buddha still asked: "Monk, are you comfortable?" The monk replied: "Blessed One, I am not comfortable. I suffer from scabies. If I could bathe frequently I would be at ease, but because the Blessed One has laid down a rule forbidding bathing, I am not at ease." The Buddha instructed: "From now on, I permit monks who are ill to bathe."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at the monastery in the wilderness, as described in full above. At that time, a monk in charge of construction work was carrying earth, carrying bricks, and performing various tasks, yet did not dare to bathe, and went to sleep just as he was. The following morning his feet bore marks of mud. Though the Buddha knew, he still asked: "Monk, why are there marks of earth on your feet?"

The monk replied: "Blessed One, while performing various tasks, mud and dirt soiled my body. Fearing to violate the precept, I did not dare to bathe, and thus my feet have muddy marks." The Buddha said: "From now on, I permit bathing when performing work."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, monks encountered a strong wind that blew dust onto their bodies, and then rain also fell, yet they did not dare to bathe, and went to sleep just as they were. The following morning they came to pay respects to the Blessed One. Though the Buddha knew, he still asked: "Monks, why are there dust and dirt on your bodies?"

The monk replied: "Blessed One, yesterday the wind blew dust upon our bodies, and then rain also fell, but we did not dare to bathe, and so there is dust and dirt on our bodies."

The Buddha said: "From this day forth, I permit bathing when there is a strong wind."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time the sky was clear, a few wisps of cloud arose, and then suddenly a great rain fell.

The Buddha said to the monks: "This is the first auspicious rain in this Jambudvīpa; you should bathe in the rain—rainwater can cure various skin diseases within the body."

But the monks were inwardly doubtful: "The Blessed One has laid down a rule forbidding bathing; why then are we now permitted to bathe?"

The Buddha instructed: "From now on, I permit bathing when it rains."

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the monks dwelling at Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for ten benefits laid down this rule for the monks; even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

—If a monk bathes before a half-month has passed—except in special circumstances—he commits a Pācittiya offence.

Explanation

Special circumstances: The last month and a half of spring and the first month of summer—during those two and a half months—and occasions such as: when it is hot, when ill, when working, when there is wind, when it rains, when traveling on the road; these are called special circumstances.

Monk: As described above.

Half-month: If one bathes on the fifteenth day, one should count another full fifteen days before bathing again. If one bathes on the fourteenth, thirteenth, twelfth, eleventh, tenth, ninth, eighth, seventh, sixth, fifth, fourth, third, second, or first day, one should count fifteen full days from the day of bathing before bathing again.

Except in special circumstances: Concerning those days the Blessed One says there is no offense.

When hot: The last month and a half of spring and the first month of summer—within that span of two and a half months is what is called "when hot." However, one should not count before or after, but only within the present period.

When ill: If a monk suffers from conditions such as open sores, scabies, ringworm, skin ailments, abscesses, or similar diseases, and bathing is necessary for relief, then bathing is permitted. That is called "when ill." However, one should not count before or after, but only within the present period.

When working: During all times when the Saṅgha is engaged in work—a monk tilling soil, repairing quarters, clearing stagnant water, dredging a well, laying the floors of rooms, sweeping, bathing the preceptor or ācārya, or even sweeping the stūpa court or the monastery grounds, even if one merely takes the broom and sweeps five or six strokes—this is called "when working." Bathing at such times incurs no offense. However, one should not count before or after, but only within the present period.

When there is wind: If a monk is struck by wind that blows dust onto his body, he may bathe without incurring an offense. However, one should not count before or after, but only within the present period.

When it rains: If it is raining and one bathes, there is no offense. However, one should not count before or after, but only within the present period.

When traveling: When traveling three yojanas, two yojanas, or at least one krośa—whether going or returning—this is called "when traveling." Bathing at such times incurs no offense. However, one should not count before or after, but only within the present period.

Pācittiya: As described above.

If a monk does not encounter any of the above circumstances, he should follow the bathing method of a smelter: first wash the two knees and the two feet, and afterward moisten the head, face, back, arms, elbows, chest, and armpits with water. Therefore it is said in verse:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Translated from Chinese by the Tripiṭaka Master Buddhabhadra of India

together with the Śramaṇa Faxian, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty

Meaning verified by: Thích Đỗng Minh