Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 55Seeing a Mobilized Army

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

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

55. RULE: GOING TO WATCH TROOPS IN FORMATION.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, a minister of the Kosala realm named Minī, who was of the Kṣatriya lineage, had rebelled. Because of this, King Pasenadi mustered the four divisions of his army, chose an auspicious day, and together with his great ministers, sounding drums and ringing bells, prepared to march out on a punitive campaign.

At that time, the Venerable Nanda and Upananda went and stood before the troops. The king, seeing this from afar, put down his royal canopy and bowed in reverence. When the great ministers saw this, they criticized them, saying: "It seems these Śākya ascetics have no sense of occasion!

The great king is about to go forth to punish rebellious enemies, and yet they stand there blocking the way before the three armies." Then they also complained to the king: "Your Majesty's forces are so numerous, and this is an auspicious day set out to seek victory—yet upon seeing these shaven-headed ascetics, Your Majesty from afar put down the royal canopy and bowed in reverence!"

The monks, upon hearing this, went and reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha then had Nanda and Upananda summoned. When they had arrived, the Buddha asked: "Is it true that you did this?"

—It is true, Blessed One.

Thereupon the Buddha said to the monks: "Would that all kings possessed such faith! Nevertheless, from this time forward, I do not permit monks to enter among troops to meet with them."

Then the Buddha instructed the monks dwelling in Sāvatthī to all assemble together, and for ten benefits he established the following rule for monks, which all must hear again even if they have heard it before:

—If a monk watches troops marching out for battle, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

Explanation

Monk: As stated above.

Troops marching out for battle: That is, soldiers bearing weapons marching toward an enemy territory. Troops are of four kinds: elephant corps, cavalry, chariot corps, and infantry.

Elephant corps: Four persons guarding one elephant. This is called the elephant corps.

Cavalry: Eight persons guarding one horse. This is called the cavalry.

Chariot corps: Sixteen persons guarding one chariot. This is called the chariot corps.

Infantry: Thirty-two persons bearing weapons (forming one unit). This is called the infantry.

If a monk watches any of these four kinds of troops, or watches any one of them, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

If a monk, intending to watch the troops, travels from a village into open country, or from open country into a village; or goes from a low place to a high place, or from a high place to a low place; or goes from a sheltered place to an open place, or from an open place to a sheltered place, and deliberately goes to watch—he commits a Pācittiya offense.

If a monk enters a city, town, or village and along the way encounters troops on the march but does not intentionally watch them, there is no offense. If he deliberately raises his head or lowers his head in order to observe them, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

If a king sets out on a campaign, or a great elephant marches out, and the road is narrow and crowded, and the monk stands in one place without intentionally watching, there is no offense. If he intentionally wishes to watch, he commits a Duṭṭhulla offense.

If a monk watches elephant fights, horse fights, ox fights, or even cockfights, he commits a Duṭṭhulla offense.

If troops come to a monastery and the monk does not intentionally watch, there is no offense. If he intentionally watches, he commits a Duṭṭhulla offense. Even watching people quarrel constitutes a Duṭṭhulla offense. 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