Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 57Viewing a Military Action

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

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

57. RULE: VIEWING MILITARY EXERCISES.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. At that time, the group of six monks, having slept in a military encampment for three nights, then went to the training ground to watch. If they saw soldiers who did not know how to ride elephants, they would criticize them: "This one rides an elephant as if riding a pig; if he enters battle, he will certainly lose his life — what a waste of the king's stipend." If they saw those who were skilled at riding elephants, they would praise them: "This one rides elephants with skill, wielding the goad to move forward and backward, turning left and right with dexterity.

If he charges into battle, he will certainly break the enemy's forces and preserve his own life. Such a person is worthy of receiving the king's stipend." When they saw those who could not ride horses, drive chariots, or wield a bow, sword, spear, shield, or lance, they would criticize or praise each one in turn, then instruct them: "You must ride elephants, ride horses, drive chariots, wield bows, hold shields, and handle spears in this way, and in this way."

Those who could not do so, upon hearing this criticism, became angry and said: "These are the very enemies — where else would one look for enemies? Let us all kill them." At that moment, those who had been praised spoke up: "These monks are of royal lineage, of the lineage of Kṣatriya ministers, and all understand military strategy. Why will you not take the trouble to learn from them, but instead bear resentment toward them?" Those who had been criticized, upon hearing this, let go of their anger and felt shame in their hearts.

The monks, having heard of this matter, went and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha then ordered that the group of six monks be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked about the matter:

—Is it true that you did this?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—That is a wrong thing to do, contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching; it cannot be used to nurture wholesome qualities.

Thereupon, the Buddha commanded all the monks residing in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits, he established a rule for the monks, which all must hear even if they have heard it before:

—If a monk has a legitimate reason, he may sleep in a military encampment for three nights; but if he views troops setting out on campaign, military banners, quarreling, fighting, or a show of force, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

Explanation

Monk: As stated above.

Three nights: A maximum of three nights.

Viewing: Deliberately making an effort to go there — whether coming down from a high place to a low place, or going up from a low place to a high place.

Army: The four military branches, as stated above.

Military banners: Either in the form of a lion, or in the form of a crescent moon.

Quarreling: Disputing with words.

Fighting: Two groups engaging in combat.

Show of force: Observing which side holds the advantage in strength — this is called a show of force.

Pācittiya: As stated above.

If a monk is traveling on a road and encounters soldiers but does not intentionally look, there is no offense. If he makes an effort to look, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

If bandits go out from a village, and a monk who is traveling on the road encounters them but does not intentionally look, there is no offense. If he makes an effort to look, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

If a monk is doing walking meditation in a village and bandits come without him intentionally watching, there is no offense. If he makes an effort to look, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

If a monk is doing walking meditation in a wild forest, and bandits who have just plundered a village pass by the place where the monk is, and then those in pursuit of the bandits come to the monk and ask: "Have you seen the bandits?" — the monk must not speak falsely, nor must he point out the location of the bandits; rather, he should say: "Look at these fingernails here."

If a monk is inside a city and enemies suddenly come to besiege it, and the king commands the monk to ascend the city walls in order to show that there are many people within the city, and the monk does not intentionally watch, there is no offense. If he makes an effort to look, he commits a Pācittiya offense. Therefore it is said (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA, A MAN OF INDIA,

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FǍXIǍN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Doctrinal verification: Thích Đỗng Minh