Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 75Legitimate Correction

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

– CLARIFICATION OF THE NINTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

75. RULE: RESISTING LEGITIMATE CORRECTION.

When the Buddha was residing in the land of Kosambi — as described in detail above — at that time, the monks said to Chanda:

—Elder, you must train and must not commit offenses of the five categories.— "I will not listen to you. If I see elders whose faculties are calm, who are learned, who keep the precepts, and who are deeply learned, I will question them; if they instruct me in anything, I will comply."

The monks then brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered the monk Chanda to be summoned. When he arrived, the Buddha questioned him about the matter:

—Did you truly say such things?

—Blessed One, it is true that I did.

—That is a bad thing. Have you not heard me praise the virtue of compliance and reproach contrariness through countless skillful means? Why are you so stubborn and self-conceited? This is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching, and cannot be used to cultivate wholesome qualities.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the monks residing in the land of Kosambi to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down a rule for the monks — even those who have heard it must hear it again:

"If any monk, being admonished by other monks to train and not commit offenses of the five categories, responds: 'I will not listen to you. If I see elders whose faculties are calm, who are learned, who keep the precepts, and who are deeply learned, I will question them, and if they instruct me in anything, I will comply' — he commits a pācittiya offense. For a monk who wishes to gain benefit in the true Dharma must train and must inquire of other monks."

Explanation

The five categories of offenses: 1. Pārājika; 2. Saṃghādisesa; 3. Pācittiya; 4. Pratideśanīya; 5. Vinayātikrama.

Must not commit: Admonishing one to train in the following twelve matters: 1. The preface of the Prātimokṣa; 2. The four Pārājikas; 3. The thirteen Saṃghādisesas; 4. The two Aniyatas; 5. The thirty Niḥsargika-pācittiyas; 6. The ninety-two Pācittiyas; 7. The four Pratideśanīyas; 8. The Śaikṣadharmas; 9. The seven Adhikaraṇaśamathas; 10. The rules of compliance — (here only ten are enumerated) — one must train and must not transgress them. If, when admonished thus by another, one responds: "I will not listen to you. If I see elders whose faculties are calm, who are learned, who keep the precepts, and who are deeply learned, I will inquire of them, and if they instruct me in anything, I will comply" — one commits a pācittiya offense.

If when another admonishes: "Elder, among the five categories of offenses — Pārājika, Saṃghādisesa, Pācittiya, Pratideśanīya, Vinayātikrama — you must train, Elder, and must not transgress," and one responds: "I will not listen to you. If I see elders whose faculties are calm, who are learned, who keep the precepts, and who are deeply and extensively learned, I will inquire of them, and when they instruct me in anything I will comply" — one commits a pācittiya offense.

Or if when one is admonished to train in the four categories of offenses, three categories, two categories, one category, or the four Pārājikas, and to not transgress, one responds: "I will not listen to you. If I see elders whose faculties are calm, who are learned, who keep the precepts, and who are deeply and extensively learned, I will inquire of them, and when they instruct me in anything I will comply" — one commits a pācittiya offense.

If someone admonishes: "Elder, among the six kinds of suspension acts — the act of censure, the act of silencing, the act of expulsion, the act of reconciliation, the act of condemnation, and the act of separate residence — you must train, Elder, and must not transgress," and one responds: "I will not listen to you. If I see elders whose faculties are calm, who are learned, who keep the precepts, and who are deeply and extensively learned, I will inquire of them, and when they instruct me in anything I will comply" — one commits a pācittiya offense.

If someone admonishes: "Elder, among the six kinds of suspension acts, the Saṃgha has carried out the act of censure against you; therefore, Elder, you should show submission, be gentle, and abandon stubbornness — and likewise regarding the act of separate residence — you must train, Elder, and must not transgress," and one responds: "I will not listen to you. If I see elders whose faculties are calm, who are learned, who keep the precepts, and who are deeply and extensively learned, I will inquire of them, and when they instruct me in anything I will comply" — one commits a pācittiya offense.

If someone admonishes: "Elder, you must train, be virtuous, keep the precepts, and recite the sutras and Dharma, and you will attain the fruit of Srotāpanna, Sakṛdāgāmin, Anāgāmin, or Arhat" — one must not respond in the ordinary way saying: "I will train," but should instead respond: "It is for this very reason that I went forth." This is what is meant by the above.

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA BUDDHABHĀDRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH