Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 79Leaving Without Giving Consent

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA RULES

– DETAILED EXPOSITION OF THE NINTH SECTION OF THE 92 SINGLE EXPIATION RULES.

79. RULE: SILENTLY ABANDONING AN ASSEMBLY AND LEAVING.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, the Bhikkhu Saṅgha had gathered and was about to perform a karma of censure against the attendant disciples and the disciples under guidance of Upananda. Upon hearing that the Saṅgha intended to perform a karma of censure against his disciples, Upananda rose and departed.

Afterward, the bhikkhus noticed an empty seat and called the roll to see who had come and who had not, and only then discovered that the empty seat belonged to Upananda. As a result, discord arose in the Saṅgha; everyone rose and left, and the karma could not be performed. The bhikkhus then brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One.

The Buddha ordered that Upananda be summoned. When he arrived, the Buddha questioned him about what had just occurred:

—Did this matter truly happen as described?

—It is indeed so, Blessed One.

—That is a wrongful act. Why, while the Saṅgha was about to resolve a matter, did you rise in silence and depart without informing the bhikkhus? That is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching, and cannot serve to nurture wholesome qualities.

Thereupon, the Buddha issued a command that all bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī must assemble, and for ten benefits he established a rule for the bhikkhus, which must be heard again even by those who have heard it before:

"If the Saṅgha is about to resolve a matter, and a bhikkhu rises in silence and departs without informing the bhikkhus, he commits a pācittiya offense."

Explanation

The Saṅgha about to resolve a matter: There are two cases: first, the teaching of the Dharma and the recitation of the Vinaya; second, the performance of a karma of reproof, up to and including a karma of separate residence.

Rising in silence and departing: Rising from one's seat and leaving.

Without informing: If one informs at an inappropriate time in order to enter a village, that does not count as proper informing. Or if one informs in order to go to a nunnery to give instruction, that also does not count as proper informing. Or if one informs in order to leave the eating area, that also does not count as proper informing.

When the Saṅgha has assembled for the teaching of the Dharma or the recitation of the Vinaya, one should inform thus: "I request to leave the teaching hall and depart." The Saṅgha replies: "Granted." If the Saṅgha has assembled to perform a karma of reproof, up to and including a karma of separate residence, one must both inform and convey one's consent to a bhikkhu. If one is in the midst of the Saṅgha, departs without informing, one commits a pācittiya offense.

Pācittiya: As explained above.

When the Saṅgha has assembled to perform a karma of reproof, up to and including a karma of separate residence, and a bhikkhu wishes to depart, he must both inform and convey his consent before leaving. If he conveys his consent without informing, he commits a pācittiya offense. If he informs without conveying his consent, he commits a Vinaya transgression. If he neither informs nor conveys his consent, he commits one pācittiya offense and one Vinaya transgression. If he both informs and conveys his consent, there is no offense. If he goes out briefly to attend to the calls of nature and then returns without abandoning the Saṅgha's business, there is no offense. If he thinks, "I may return late," he should inform and convey his consent before leaving.

If the Saṅgha is engaged in teaching the Dharma or reciting the Vinaya, one must inform before departing. If one departs without informing, one commits a Vinaya transgression.

If a bhikkhu is listening to many bhikkhus reciting the scriptures, he must inform before departing. If he departs without informing, he commits a Vinaya transgression. If the one reciting the scriptures stops reciting and speaks of another matter, departing without informing is no offense.

If a bhikkhu is listening to another bhikkhu reading the scriptures, he should inform before departing. If he departs without informing, he commits a Vinaya transgression.

If a bhikkhu is listening to another bhikkhu reciting the scriptures, he must inform before departing. If he departs without informing, he commits a Vinaya transgression. Therefore it is said as above.

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH