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– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

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

58. RULE: STRIKING ANOTHER BHIKKHU.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as told in full above. At that time, the group of six bhikkhus, having risen from their meditation seats, struck the heads of the group of sixteen young bhikkhus with their fists. Those bhikkhus then burst into loud weeping. The Buddha heard the sound of weeping, and although he already knew, he nonetheless asked the bhikkhus:

—Why is there the sound of children crying in here?

—Blessed One, the group of six bhikkhus, after rising from the meditation hall, struck the heads of the group of sixteen young bhikkhus with their fists, and that is why they are weeping.

—Go and summon the group of six bhikkhus.

When they had come, the Buddha asked them fully about the matter described above:

—Did you truly do this?

—It is truly so, Blessed One.

—Why did you do this?

—We wanted to joke and have fun.

—You foolish men, this is an evil deed — to disturb those who live the holy life and then call it fun. O group of six bhikkhus, do not make light of those persons. If they were to enter meditative concentration, they could, by the power of their spiritual faculties, seize you and hurl you into another world. Have you never heard me teach with countless skillful means that one should arouse bodily, verbal, and mental loving-kindness, reverence, and veneration toward those who live the holy life? Why then do you commit such an evil and unwholesome act? This is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching, and cannot serve to nurture wholesome qualities.

Thereupon the Buddha ordered all the bhikkhus dwelling in Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he established this rule for the bhikkhus — which, even if already heard, must be heard again:

—If a bhikkhu strikes another bhikkhu, he commits a Pācittiya offence.

Explanation

Bhikkhu: As explained above.

Strikes: Whether by means of the body, a bodily part, or a bodily instrument.

Body: Using the whole body — this is called the body.

Bodily part: Whether the hand, the foot, the elbow, the knee, the teeth, or the nails — these are called bodily parts.

Bodily instrument: Whether grasping a stick, a club, a brick, or a stone to strike with, or throwing a stone from a distance — these are called bodily instruments.

Pācittiya: As explained above.

If a bhikkhu strikes a bhikkhu, he commits a Pācittiya offence; if he strikes a bhikkhunī, he commits a Thullaccaya offence; if he strikes a Sikkhāmānā, a sāmaṇera, or a sāmaṇerī, he commits a Dukkhaṭa offence; and finally, if he strikes a lay person, he commits a Dukkhaṭa offence requiring confession by mental acknowledgment.

If fierce wild animals such as elephants, horses, buffaloes, goats, or dogs approach, one must not strike them; one may only strike a stick, club, brick, or stone upon the ground to frighten them.

If animals enter within a stupa and cause harm to images, or damage flowers, fruits, or trees, one may likewise only strike a stick, club, brick, or stone upon the ground to frighten them so that they flee.

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