Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 12Swaying the Head

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE BEGINNING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

12. "One must train: one should not sway one's head when entering the house of a layperson."

If it is due to old age, illness, headache, or cold wind and rain, then swaying the head is not an offense. However, if one enters the house of a layperson with unrestrained faculties and a swaying head, this is to disregard the training rule. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"One must train: one should not sway one's head when entering the house of a layperson."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, the group of six monks entered the house of a layperson swinging their arms, and collided with the donor's face, causing the vessel of oil and milk they were holding to shatter and break. People criticized them, saying:

—Why do the Samaṇas, sons of the Sakyan, enter the houses of laypeople swinging their arms just like violent wrestlers? These are degenerate ones — what conduct worthy of the path do they have!

The monks then brought the matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered that the group of six monks be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It truly was so, Blessed One.

—From now on, you must not swing your arms when entering the house of a layperson.

Then the Buddha commanded all the monks living in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a rule for the monks, which all must hear even if they have already heard it:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

TOGETHER WITH SAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Meaning verified by: Thích Đỗng Minh