Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 78Eavesdropping

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀYATTIKA OFFENSES

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

78. RULE: EAVESDROPPING ON A DISPUTE.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as told in full above; at that time, certain bhikkhus were in conflict with one another, living together in one place yet in discord. At that time, the group of six bhikkhus stood in a concealed spot, secretly listening to what one group said, then reporting it to the other group, and listening to what the other group said, then reporting it to the first group, thereby causing both sides to hold grievances against each other, so that though living together in one residence they remained in disharmony.

They quarreled over such matters as what is in accordance with the Dhamma and what is not, what is in accordance with the Vinaya and what is not, and further, what matter should be subject to a kammā and what should not. The bhikkhus then brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha thereupon ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned.

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

—Did you actually do this?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—That is an evil deed, not in accordance with the Dhamma, not in accordance with the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching; it cannot be used to nurture wholesome qualities.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus residing in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for ten benefits he laid down a rule for the bhikkhus, which must be heard again even by those who have already heard it:

"If, when bhikkhus are engaged in a dispute, a bhikkhu stands in silence listening, with the thought: 'Whatever they say, I must remember it' — for that purpose alone and for no other — he commits a Pāyattika offense."

Explanation

Dispute: As in saying: that matter is in accordance with the Dhamma, not in accordance with the Dhamma, in accordance with the Vinaya, not in accordance with the Vinaya, and further, that matter should be subject to a kammā, that matter should not be subject to a kammā.

Standing and listening: Whether standing behind a wall, behind a fence, outside a door, behind a curtain, behind a boulder, behind a clump of grass, and so forth — listening with the thought: "Whatever they say, I must remember it" — for the sole purpose of tale-bearing and for no other — he commits a Pāyattika offense.

Pāyattika: As stated above.

When two bhikkhus are having a private conversation inside a room and another bhikkhu wishes to enter, he must snap his fingers or stamp his feet to make a sound. If those inside suddenly fall silent, he should withdraw. If those inside continue to speak without stopping, he may enter without offense.

When a bhikkhu is seated inside a room and two bhikkhus enter from outside while conversing privately, the bhikkhu seated inside must not remain silent but must snap his fingers or stamp his feet to make a sound. If the two others fall silent, he himself must leave the room.

If a bhikkhu, having quarreled with other bhikkhus and harboring enmity, says: "This person has insulted me; I must kill this evil one," and then departs — a bhikkhu who hears this must go and say to the other person: "Venerable, you should take careful precautions. I have heard some unfavorable words, or there may be visiting bhikkhus arriving at the assembly hall, the fire room, or the meditation hall, or the preceptor or the supervisor may be coming to visit."

When a visiting bhikkhu hears another visiting bhikkhu say: "Venerable, let us steal goods from such-and-such a storehouse, valuables from such-and-such a stūpa, food from the Saṅgha's kitchen, the robe and bowl of such-and-such a bhikkhu" — he must silently return to the midst of the Saṅgha and inform everyone: "Venerable ones, the goods in such-and-such a storehouse, the valuables at such-and-such a stūpa, the food in such-and-such a kitchen, and the robe and bowl of such-and-such a bhikkhu need to be protected, for I have heard that someone intends to steal them."

If a bhikkhu has many disciples, in the evening he should go about inspecting the rooms to see whether they are conducting themselves in accordance with the Dhamma. If he hears them discussing worldly stories — stories about kings, stories about thieves and robbers, and so forth — he should not enter the room at that moment to rebuke them, but must wait until they come to his room, and then instruct them thus: "You went forth out of faith and eat what is offered by donors; you should be sitting in meditation and reciting the scriptures — why are you discussing such worldly and unlawful matters? These are not the wholesome and suitable conduct of those who have gone forth."

If he hears them discussing the scriptures and exchanging the meaning of the Dhamma, he should not enter the room at that moment to praise them, but must wait until they come to his room, and then praise them thus: "You are able to discuss the scriptures and expound the Buddha-Dhamma. As the Blessed One has taught: When bhikkhus gather together, they should do two things — one is to remain in noble silence, and the other is to discuss the Buddha-Dhamma."

When bhikkhus are walking into a village and conversing as they walk, a bhikkhu who arrives at the place after them must not remain silent but must clear his throat or stamp his feet to make a sound. If those who arrived before continue to speak, he may proceed without offense.

When a bhikkhu is walking ahead and bhikkhus walking behind arrive while conversing, the bhikkhu walking in front must not remain silent but must clear his throat or stamp his feet to make a sound, so that those behind are aware. When a bhikkhu circumambulates a stūpa, or after a meal enters the forest to sit in meditation, he should do likewise. 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

MEANING CERTIFIED BY: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH