Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 67Tickling

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– EXPLANATION OF THE EIGHTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

67. RULE: POINTING AT ONE ANOTHER WITH THE FINGER.

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, on the uposatha days of the eighth, fourteenth, and fifteenth, bhikkhus would go to the place of the Buddha, bow their heads in reverent salutation, and pay their respects. At that time, the group of sixteen bhikkhus was seated at a place not far from the Buddha, and so the bhikkhunī Uppalā and the sāmaṇerī Jilī also came to pay their respects to them.

Then, being young and fond of amusement, the women sat down close to where the bhikkhus were, but because they were sitting in an improper manner, the bhikkhus, upon seeing this, pointed at one another and laughed. Just at that moment, an ugly brahmin with a hunched back and crooked legs came along leading his young wife. Seeing the bhikkhus laughing, he thought: "Surely these bhikkhus, seeing that I am ugly and yet have brought along a virtuous wife, are laughing at me!" He grew angry and said: "These Samaṇa disciples of the Sakyan do not know proper conduct—they judge by appearances and laugh at me." The bhikkhus replied: "We were not laughing at you." The brahmin said: "That is not so;

you were indeed laughing at me." Having said this, he went to the place of the Buddha and spoke as follows: "How strange, Gotama—the Samaṇa disciples of the Sakyan do not know proper conduct; seeing that I am ugly and yet have brought along a virtuous wife, they judge by appearances and laugh at me." The Buddha then accorded with his disposition and taught the Dhamma to the brahmin, pointing out what is beneficial and joyful, and caused him to depart in gladness.

After he had gone, the Buddha instructed that the group of sixteen bhikkhus be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha asked:

—There was a brahmin who was very ugly yet led along a virtuous wife; did you see this and laugh at them?

—Blessed One, we were not laughing at the brahmin.

—Then at whom were you laughing?

—Blessed One, on the uposatha day, the bhikkhunī Uppalā and the sāmaṇerī Jilī came to our place and then sat in an improper manner. Seeing this, we pointed it out to one another, and that is why we laughed.

—When the nuns were sitting improperly, you should have used skillful means to make them rise, rather than laughing. Now I shall censure you; on account of this matter I shall lay down a rule for my disciples.

Thereupon the Buddha ordered all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits laid down a rule for the bhikkhus, which those who have already heard must hear again:

—If a bhikkhu points at another with his finger, he commits a pācittiya offence.

Explanation

Bhikkhu: as explained above.

If one points with a single finger, one commits a pācittiya offence; and so it is up to pointing with five fingers; or pointing with all the fingers likewise constitutes a pācittiya offence. If one points with a clenched fist, one commits a thullaccaya offence. If one points with a piece of wood or a bamboo branch, one commits a dukkaṭa offence. If a bhikkhu, after quarreling, points at another with his hand, he commits a pācittiya offence.

If a bhikkhu serving as the monthly duty officer, or as a monastery manager, directs someone to serve a meal by pointing with his finger and saying: "So-and-so, go and serve the meal," he commits a pācittiya offence. If he points with a bamboo branch or a piece of wood, he commits a dukkaṭa offence; he should simply say: "So-and-so, go and serve the meal."

If a sāmaṇera is lying asleep and one wishes to wake him, one should snap one's fingers to call him. If he does not rise, one should use one's fingers to grasp his robe and pull him awake.

If bhikkhus are seated in a lay household and a foolish bhikkhu sits in an improper manner, one should say: "Please sit properly." If he does not notice, one should say: "Please adjust your robe properly." If he still does not notice, one should say: "You fool, cover your body properly."

If a bhikkhu comes to sit at a bhikkhunī's monastery and a bhikkhunī, after paying respects at the bhikkhu's feet, sits in front of him in an improper manner, one should not admonish her in a way that causes her embarrassment; rather, one should use skillful means to ask her to rise and fetch something.

If a bhikkhu is seated in a donor's household and a woman, after paying respects at the bhikkhu's feet, sits in front of him in an improper manner, one should not speak in a way that causes her shame; rather, one should use skillful means to send her to fetch something.

If a courtesan comes to jest and test a bhikkhu by sitting in an improper manner, one should not speak to her but should simply withdraw. Therefore it is said as above.

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH SAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

MEANING VERIFIED BY: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH