Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 88Rainy-Season Robes

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

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

88. RULE: SEWING A RAINY-SEASON BATHING ROBE BEYOND THE PRESCRIBED MEASUREMENTS.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as explained at length in the thirty matters, particularly regarding the matter of Visākhā Migāramātā's donation of rainy-season bathing robes to the bhikkhus within a distance of twelve yojanas.

Furthermore, when the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as explained at length above. After the Blessed One permitted the sewing of rainy-season bathing robes, the bhikkhus did not cut off the fringe threads but left them as they were when sewing. For the sake of five beneficial purposes, the Blessed One would make a tour of the bhikkhus' rooms every five days. On one such occasion he saw the fringe threads of a rainy-season bathing robe, soiled and laid out to dry in the sun; though he already knew the reason, the Buddha nonetheless asked:

—Whose robe is this that has been sewn with all the fringe threads left on, and is so soiled?

—Blessed One, after the Buddha permitted the sewing of rainy-season bathing robes, the bhikkhus left all the fringe threads intact when sewing, which is why they appear so soiled.

—Why have you left all the fringe threads on when sewing the rainy-season bathing robes? Henceforth they must be sewn to the correct measurements: six Sugata handspans in length and two and a half handspans in width.

Then the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a rule for the bhikkhus—one that all must hear, even those who have heard it before:

"If a bhikkhu sews a rainy-season bathing robe, he must sew it to the correct measurements: six Sugata handspans in length and two and a half handspans in width. If it exceeds the measurements, it must be cut down, and he must then confess the pācittiya offense."

Explanation

Rainy-season bathing robe: The Blessed One stipulated the size as six Buddha-handspans in length and two and a half handspans in width. The length and width of the Buddha's handspan are as explained above. If it exceeds the measurements, it must be cut down and then the pācittiya offense confessed. If one confesses without cutting it down, one commits a Vinaya transgression (dukkaṭa).

Pācittiya: As explained above.

If one sews it oneself or has another sew it, and the length is within the measurements but the width exceeds them, or the width is within the measurements but the length exceeds them, or the middle portion is within the measurements but the border portions exceed them, or the border portions are within the measurements but the middle portion exceeds them—then when the sewing is completed one commits a pācittiya offense; when it is used, one commits a Vinaya transgression.

If one does it oneself or has another do it—such as folding it, laying it flat, soaking it in water and then drying it—and when done it is still longer and wider than the prescribed size, one commits a pācittiya offense; when it is used, one commits a Vinaya transgression.

The Saṅgha should invite whichever bhikkhu possesses five qualities to distribute the rainy-season bathing robes. Those five qualities are: 1. Not showing favoritism; 2. Not acting from anger; 3. Not acting from fear; 4. Not acting from delusion; 5. Knowing who is entitled to receive a share and who is not.

The kammavācā-reciting preceptor should perform the announcement as follows:

"May the venerable Saṅgha listen. Bhikkhu so-and-so possesses five qualities. If it is agreeable to the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should invite Bhikkhu so-and-so to distribute the rainy-season bathing robes. This is the announcement."

"May the venerable Saṅgha listen. Bhikkhu so-and-so possesses five qualities. The Saṅgha now invites Bhikkhu so-and-so to distribute the rainy-season bathing robes. Those venerable ones who consent to Bhikkhu so-and-so distributing the rainy-season bathing robes should remain silent; those who do not consent should speak. The Saṅgha has consented to inviting Bhikkhu so-and-so to distribute the rainy-season bathing robes, and therefore is silent. I record this matter as such."

After the formal act (kamma) has been performed, one should announce in the midst of the Saṅgha: "Venerable ones, the items being distributed here differ and are not uniform; differences of approximately four or eight finger-widths should by right not be counted as discrepancies." If such an announcement is not made, one commits a Vinaya transgression.

From the first day of the fourth month onward, whenever rainy-season bathing robes are received, they are to be distributed in order beginning from the senior elder downward. Once one has received a robe, one should not bathe naked, nor should one wear the rainy-season bathing robe habitually; other robes and requisites should be worn instead. If one is in a secluded place or in deep water, bathing naked incurs no offense.

One should not wear the rainy-season bathing robe while performing communal duties in the Saṅgha, such as removing leftover alms food, wiping floors, gathering white ash, gathering mud, thatching roofs, clearing drainage ditches, or digging wells; other old robes should be worn for such tasks.

This rainy-season bathing robe may not be used as one of the three robes; it may not be transferred by the act of 净施 (净施, formal relinquishment); it may not be used for such tasks as fetching firewood or grass, or for wiping and cleaning; it may not be worn while entering ponds or pools to bathe. It may be worn during heavy rain, but not during light rain. If a heavy rain suddenly stops before one has finished washing off the grime, one may then enter a pond or pool wearing it in order to bathe.

If a bhikkhu is suffering from dysentery and has taken medicine, or has had a bloodletting incision on the head, or is receiving a meal offering in the open, he may use this robe as a curtain to cover himself.

This rainy-season bathing robe may be used from the fifteenth day of the fourth month through the fifteenth day of the eighth month. When the period expires, one should announce in the midst of the Saṅgha: "Venerable ones, today the Saṅgha relinquishes the rainy-season bathing robes." This is to be announced three times. Once relinquished, it may be used as one of the three robes, or formally transferred, or used for other purposes. 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 VERIFIED BY: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH