Lzh Mg Bu Vb Pd 3Letting a Nun Order Food

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– FOUR PĀṬIDESANĪYA RULES.

3. RULE: EATING FOOD OBTAINED THROUGH A NUN'S DIRECTION.

When the Buddha was staying at the Kalandaka Bamboo Grove monastery in Rājagṛha, as told in full above. At that time, a family acquainted with the bhikkhunī Sthūlanandā invited the Saṅgha to a meal. Sthūlanandā stood before the group of six bhikkhus and directed them, saying to the donors: "Give rice to this bhikkhu, give soup to that bhikkhu, give meat and fish to that other bhikkhu."

The donors, following her instructions, served the group of six bhikkhus with an abundance of food. The other bhikkhus then criticized them:

—Why did the group of six bhikkhus allow a bhikkhunī to instruct the donors to serve them with so much food without reproving her?

The bhikkhus then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked them about what had occurred:

—Did this matter truly happen?

—It truly did, Blessed One.

—Why did you allow the bhikkhunī to direct that food be served to you so abundantly and with partiality, without reproving her?

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in Rājagṛha to assemble, and for ten benefits he established a rule for the bhikkhus, which even those who have already heard it must hear again:

—If a layperson invites the Saṅgha to a meal, and a bhikkhunī stands before the bhikkhus and directs the donors, saying: "Give rice to this one, give soup, fish, and meat to that one," then the bhikkhus should say to that bhikkhunī: "Sister, leave off; wait until the bhikkhus have finished eating."

If not even one among the bhikkhus says to the bhikkhunī: "Sister, leave off; wait until the bhikkhus have finished eating," then the bhikkhus must confess before another bhikkhu as follows: "Venerable, I have committed an offense deserving censure." This form of confession is called Pāṭidesanīya.

EXPLANATION:

Layperson's house: The home of a lay person.

Invite: Whether invited for today or for tomorrow.

Food: The five kinds of staple food and the five kinds of non-staple food.

Bhikkhunī: One who has received the full precepts before the twofold Saṅgha (of bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs).

Give: As in saying: "Add more rice to this one, ladle more soup for that one, bring fish and meat to that other one."

Should say to the bhikkhunī: Through seeing, hearing, or knowing, one should say: "Sister, leave off; wait until the bhikkhus have finished eating."

If she stops, that is good; if she does not stop, remind her a second time, then a third time. If one does not speak and simply accepts the food, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense.

If one eats, one commits a Pāṭidesanīya offense. That bhikkhu must confess before another bhikkhu as follows: "Venerable, I have committed an offense deserving censure." Regarding this Pāṭidesanīya confession, the one who receives the confession should ask:

—Do you see that offense?

—Yes, I see it.

—Be careful not to commit it again.

—I respectfully receive this admonishment.

Pāṭidesanīya: As stated above.

If one eats without having remonstrated a full three times, one commits a Dukkhaṭa offense. If after three times she still does not desist, then eating is without offense. If one bhikkhu has already remonstrated, all the others may eat without offense. If one did not see or did not hear, then eating is without offense. If the bhikkhunī herself acts as the donor, there is no offense. If the donors have never before invited the Saṅgha and therefore do not know the proper procedure, then at that time a bhikkhunī may instruct them on how to arrange the image, set out the foods, and then be seated. If there is no invitation, or if it does not involve the five kinds of staple food, then giving directions is without offense. 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 FǍXIǍN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

VERIFICATION OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH