Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 63Transferring to Another

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– EXPLAINING THE EIGHTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE RULES.

63. RULE: HAVING TRANSFERRED A ROBE TO ANOTHER, TAKING IT BACK TO WEAR.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī, as explained in full above. At that time, the group of six monks frequently changed robes, wearing one garment before the meal and another after the meal. The Buddha knew this yet still asked:

—What robes are these?

—These are our vikappana robes, Lord.

—Why, having transferred these robes to another through vikappana without relinquishing them, do you make them into your three robes and use them? From now on, I do not permit the use of a robe transferred through vikappana without first relinquishing it.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the monks dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a rule for the monks, which even those who have heard it must hear again:

—If a monk, having given a robe to a monk, a nun, a sikṣamāṇā, a sāmaṇera, or a sāmaṇerī, thereafter uses it without relinquishing it, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

Explanation

Monk: As explained above.

Having given: Having transferred through vikappana to any of the five categories of persons.

Without relinquishing: Thereafter not relinquishing it.

Uses it: If he makes it into his three robes and uses it, he commits a Pācittiya offense.

Pācittiya: As explained above.

If a monk has many robes and has forgotten and cannot remember, he should gather all those robes together in one place, and then speak as follows to relinquish them: "These robes I have transferred through vikappana to so-and-so, and so-and-so has allowed me to use them at will; now I relinquish all of them." However, if they are the three robes, each one must be relinquished separately, speaking as follows: "This saṅghāṭī belongs among my three robes, which I was previously using; now I relinquish it.

This saṅghāṭī (a different one) belongs among my three robes; I now use it. This uttarāsaṅga belongs among my three robes, which I was previously using; now I relinquish it. This uttarāsaṅga (a different one) belongs among my three robes; I now use it.

This antarvāsa belongs among my three robes, which I was previously using; now I relinquish it. This antarvāsa (a different one) belongs among my three robes; I now use it. These are my three robes, which I always keep, not parting from them during the night."

As for any other pieces of cloth two cubits in length and one cubit or more in width, all of them must be transferred through vikappana. The formula for vikappana should be spoken as follows: "Venerable Elder, this is my extra robe; I transfer it through vikappana to so-and-so, and so-and-so will allow me to use it at will. Should occasions arise such as washing, dyeing, or mending robes, I will use it." When one has finished using it and the vikappana is complete, the robe must be hung on the robe rack, and one must be mindful of this every day.

If one forgets, one should instruct an attendant disciple or a nissaya disciple: "These are my three robes; you must help me to be mindful of them every day." If there is no disciple, one should write a notation on the corner of the robe. If one performs the vikappana face-to-face in person without relinquishing it and then uses it, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If one does not perform it face-to-face but verbally declares the vikappana to oneself, and then uses it without relinquishing it, one commits a Vinaya offense.

If one performs the vikappana face-to-face with another person without relinquishing it and then uses it, one commits a Pācittiya offense.

Furthermore, if one transfers an extra robe through vikappana to another without relinquishing it and then uses it, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If one does not know which robe is one's own, one commits a Vinaya offense. If one does not have three robes, one commits a Vinaya offense. If at one time one relinquishes and at another time one uses, one commits a Vinaya offense. If without relinquishing one makes a robe into one's three robes and uses it, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If without relinquishing one uses a robe for the affairs of a stūpa or of the Saṅgha and then gives it to another, one commits a Vinaya offense. One should not perform the vikappana face-to-face but should perform the vikappana indirectly through another person. Therefore it is said (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH