Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 64Hiding Robes

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

– CLEARLY EXPLAINING THE EIGHTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

64. PRECEPT: HIDING ANOTHER PERSON'S BELONGINGS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in detail above. At that time, the group of six bhikkhus, before the meal, took one bhikkhu's saṃghāṭi robe and another bhikkhu's bowl and hid them elsewhere. When the time for alms-round arrived, a certain bhikkhu intending to enter the village went to look for his saṃghāṭi, but it was not there.

Another bhikkhu went to look for his bowl, and it too was not there. The bhikkhu who had lost his robe asked the other bhikkhus: "Venerable elders, who has taken my saṃghāṭi and where has it gone?" The one who had lost his bowl asked: "Who has taken my bowl and where has it gone?" At that moment, the group of six bhikkhus laughed and said: "Venerable, this monastery is vast — go and search for it." That bhikkhu searched for a long time but could not find it.

The group of six bhikkhus then said: "Venerable, give me something and I will help you find it." Hearing this, the bhikkhu knew that they had taken and hidden it. After the meal, they again hid the sitting mat and the needle case. When the meal was finished, the bhikkhus who wished to enter the forest to practice meditation went to look for their sitting mats but could not find them, and so asked: "Venerable, who has taken my sitting mat and where has it gone?" Another bhikkhu likewise asked: "Who has taken my needle case and where has it gone?" The group of six bhikkhus laughed and said: "Venerable, this monastery is vast — go and search everywhere." That bhikkhu searched for a long time but could not find it.

The group of six bhikkhus again said: "Give me something and I will help you find it." Hearing this, the bhikkhu knew that they had taken and hidden it. Because of this, the bhikkhus brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha then ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned.

When they arrived, the Buddha questioned them fully about the matter:

—Did this thing truly happen?

—It truly happened thus, Blessed One.

—Why did you do so?

—It was just for fun and amusement.

—You foolish ones, that is an evil deed — to trouble those who live the holy life and call it fun and amusement? That is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, and opposed to my teaching; it cannot be used to nurture wholesome states. From now on, I do not permit hiding another's robe, bowl, sitting mat, or needle case for the sake of amusement.

Thereupon, the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a precept for the bhikkhus, which must be heard again even by those who have already heard it:

—If a bhikkhu hides another person's robe, bowl, sitting mat, or needle case — even for the sake of amusement — he commits a Pācittiya offense.

Explanation

Bhikkhu: As explained above.

Robe: There are seven types.

Bowl: Such as an earthen bowl or an iron bowl; these are divided into three grades: superior, medium, and inferior.

Sitting mat: As the Blessed One has permitted its use.

Needle case: A case containing needles.

Hiding: Whether one hides it oneself, or instructs another to hide it — even for the sake of amusement — one commits a Pācittiya offense.

Pācittiya: As explained above.

Among the three robes, if one hides any one of them, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If one hides the saṃkakṣikā or other robes, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense.

Among the three types of bowls, if one hides any one of them, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If one hides a small bowl or other containers, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense.

If one hides a sitting mat, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If one hides other articles used for sitting, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense.

In the case of hiding a needle case that contains needles, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If there are no needles in it, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense. If there are needles and thread, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If there are no needles but only thread, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense. If there are both needles and thread, but one takes out the thread and hides only that, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense.

If one hides a bhikkhu's robe for amusement, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If one hides a bhikkhunī's robe, one commits a Thullaccaya offense. If one hides the robe of a sikkhamānā, a sāmaṇera, or a sāmaṇerī, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense. Finally, if one hides the clothing of a layperson, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense requiring repentance by mental acknowledgment. Therefore it is said (as above).

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHĀBHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH