Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pc 9Criticizing Robe Distribution

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– PĀCITTIYA OFFENSES

– EXPLAINING THE THIRD SECTION OF THE SINGLE CONFESSION RULES

9. RULE: CONSENTING TO A FORMAL ACT, THEN SUBSEQUENTLY OBJECTING.

When the Buddha was dwelling at Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, the Venerable Dabba Mallaputta had been appointed by the Saṅgha through a formal act to oversee nine matters, as was explained in detail among the thirteen matters (in the Saṅghādisesa rules). At that time there was a pāṃśukūla robe of the sankhata type that could not be divided, so he informed the Saṅgha: "This pāṃśukūla sankhata robe cannot be divided — may it be given to the Elder Mahā Kassapa?"

All the bhikkhus agreed and said: "Yes." However, Dabba, fearing that disputes might arise later, announced it in the midst of the Saṅgha: "This pāṃśukūla sankhata robe is given to the Elder Mahā Kassapa" — and so he proclaimed it three times.

As soon as the proclamation was finished, the group of six bhikkhus rose from their seats and said: "Who said to give it? Did the group of six bhikkhus agree to give it? Your proclamation in this manner shows a lack of impartiality. You are giving away the property of the Saṅgha out of personal favoritism."

The bhikkhus then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately had the group of six bhikkhus summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked them: "Is it true that you did this?"

They replied: "It is true, Blessed One."

The Buddha then rebuked them: "This is a wrongful act. For practitioners of the holy life such as these — if the flesh, blood, and marrow of your bodies were needed, you should still give them — how much more so this pāṃśukūla robe that cannot be divided, which has already been publicly announced as given before the Saṅgha, and yet you obstruct it. When you consented in silence, you resembled the bearing of noble persons. Now that you obstruct it, you resemble the conduct of base and ignoble persons. This is contrary to the Dharma, contrary to the Vinaya, contrary to my teaching, and cannot be used to nurture wholesome states."

Thereupon, the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling at Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a rule for the bhikkhus, which must be heard again even by those who have already heard it:

"If a bhikkhu, when the Saṅgha is distributing goods, has harmoniously consented to give something to another person, but subsequently obstructs it, he commits a Pācittiya offense."

Explanation

Having previously consented: Previously, during the Saṅgha's distribution of goods, one harmoniously consented together with others to give the item.

Subsequently obstructing: Saying something such as: "The Elder gave away the Saṅgha's property based on personal favoritism" — this constitutes a Pācittiya offense.

If, when the Saṅgha is distributing items that must be distributed — such as the saṅghāṭī robe, the uttarāsaṅga robe, the antaravāsaka robe, or the sitting cloth, the scab-covering cloth, the rain-bathing cloth, the belt, the butter container, the small bowl, the copper basin, the fan, the parasol, the oil flask, the leather bag, the small knife, the leather sandals, the water vessel, and so forth — all such items that are fit for distribution: when one's share is being distributed, one should take it.

If one does not wish to take it, one should let it pass. If they ask: "Why are you not taking it, Venerable?" one should reply: "I do not need this; I wish to take something else." Thereafter, when one needs it and takes it, there is no offense. If the person distributing the goods announces: "Each person may take what they wish," then the bhikkhu at that time may freely take what he needs, and there is no offense.

Obstructing: There are three cases: either one obstructs after having already given consent; or one obstructs while the giving is in progress; or one obstructs before the giving has taken place.

If one obstructs after having already given consent, one commits a Pācittiya offense. If one obstructs while the giving is in progress, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense. If one obstructs before the giving has taken place, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense to be confessed through mental reflection. 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