Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 53Intruding on a Couple Enjoying Themselves

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

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

53. PRECEPT: GIVING FOOD TO ASCETICS OF OUTSIDE PATHS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī, as described in detail above. At that time, the Venerable Ānanda possessed a fine name, a fine character, and a fine family lineage. On account of these three qualities, he was held in great esteem by the people of the world.

Whenever an auspicious day arrived—such as moving into a new home, a wedding, or the piercing of ears—people would invite Ānanda first of all. On one occasion, a certain household invited the Venerable Ānanda to receive a meal, when a dark-skinned, blue-eyed, large-bellied ascetic of an outside path came to where Ānanda was and asked for food. Ānanda immediately gave him food. The man scooped up the rice with his hand and ate it, and when he had finished eating, he wiped his hand on his body and departed.

Then another ascetic of an outside path came and asked him: "Where did you get that food?"

He replied: "I received food from this shaven-headed householder here."

Ānanda heard these words and was displeased, and thereafter when others came to ask he did not give. He then went and reported the matter in full to the Blessed One. The Buddha spoke to Ānanda: "This person does not know gratitude. From this day forward, I do not permit bhikkhus to give food directly by hand to naked ascetics of outside paths."

Furthermore, when the Buddha was residing in the city of Śrāvastī, as described in detail above. At that time, the Blessed One had his head shaved once every four months. When the people heard that the Buddha was having his head shaved, they came to offer various gifts of reverence. At that time, there was a famine, and five hundred people would regularly follow the Blessed One to ask for leftover food. The Buddha asked Ānanda whether there was any leftover food, and he replied: "There are cakes."

The Buddha said: "Distribute them to those who are begging."

Ānanda then gave out one cake to each person. Among them was a female ascetic of an outside path, and when Ānanda took a cake to give her, two cakes were stuck together. Those who had received cakes gathered together to eat in one place, and remarked: "These cakes are truly delicious; it is only a pity there are so few—only one each!" The one who had received two cakes said: "I received two."

One of those who had received only one said: "Will Ānanda be your husband, that he gave only you two cakes?"

Ānanda heard this and was displeased, and he went and reported the full matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha instructed: "From this day forward, I do not permit bhikkhus to give food directly by hand to male or female naked ascetics of outside paths."

The bhikkhus then asked the Buddha: "Why does that ascetic of an outside path not know gratitude?"

The Buddha taught: "Not only does he not know gratitude today; in the past it was likewise so, as is clearly told in the Jātaka of the Monkey." He then commanded all the bhikkhus residing in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established this precept for the bhikkhus, that even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

—If a bhikkhu gives food directly by hand to male or female naked ascetics of outside paths, he commits a pācittiya offense.

Explanation

Bhikkhu: As stated above.

Naked (without garments): Either one who enters without robes and departs without robes; or one who enters with robes and departs without robes; or one who enters with robes and departs with robes; or one who enters without robes and departs without robes.

Ascetic of an outside path: Refers to those who have gone forth under outside paths, such as Pūraṇa Kassapa and so forth, up to the Nigaṇṭhas.

Directly by hand: Either giving by hand and receiving by hand, or giving by bowl and receiving by bowl.

Food: Comprising the five kinds of main foods and the five kinds of secondary foods. If one gives any of these foods, one commits a pācittiya offense.

Pācittiya: As stated above.

If the parents, brothers, or sisters of a bhikkhu have gone forth under an outside path, the bhikkhu still may not give food directly by hand, but should instruct a净人 (kappiya-kāraka, allowable worker) to convey it to them. If there is no allowable worker, one should tell them to take the food themselves. If one fears that other ascetics of outside paths will consume it all, one should ask them to hand over their bowl, then ladle food into it at one's discretion, and then place it on a bed, a chair, or on the ground, saying: "Take it and eat yourself."

If that kinsman of an outside path reproaches one thus: "You receive me now in the manner of a caṇḍāla," the bhikkhu should reply: "You have not gone forth in the proper place. The Blessed One has established this precept to be done in this way. If you wish to eat, then eat; if you do not wish to eat, it is as you please." If a bhikkhu assigns an ascetic of an outside path to perform some task, he likewise may not give food to that person directly by hand, but must instruct an allowable worker to convey it.

If there is no allowable worker, convey it in the manner described above. If an ascetic of an outside path comes to ask for rice water or gruel, one likewise may not give it directly by hand. If ascetics of outside paths come to beg at the place of the Saṅgha, one likewise may not give directly by hand, but must place it on the ground and offer it in that way.

If an ascetic of an outside path has faith and wishes to make an offering to a bhikkhu, then at that time the bhikkhu also may not give food and drink directly by hand, but may instruct the ascetic to prepare food and drink and then ask them to convey it to him to eat. When the eating is finished, any remaining food should be given to them. The method of giving is as described above.

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

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH