Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 15Lowered Eyes (2nd)

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE BEGINNING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

15. "One should train thus: to look straight ahead when sitting in the house of a lay person."

Looking straight ahead when sitting in a house means one must not behave like a horse craning its neck upward or bowing its head downward to look about, but must look straight ahead, so as to be mindful in case the donor brings hot things such as boiling water, lest one knock against their hands. When sitting to eat at the monastery, or when in the presence of preceptors, teachers, or senior bhikkhus, one must not look to the right or to the left, but must sit looking straight ahead. If one lets the sense faculties run loose and does not look uprightly when sitting, this is to disregard the rule to be trained. Except in the case of deranged mind, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"One should train thus: to look uprightly when sitting in the house of a lay person."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī — as described in full above — at that time the group of six bhikkhus, upon entering and sitting in the house of a lay person, called out to one another loudly and spoke in an uproar. People of the world criticized them:

—Why do these Śākyaputra renunciants call out to one another so loudly, like merchants who have lost their companions, like herdsmen calling to one another?

Then they questioned them:

—Venerable ones, for what reason do you call out so loudly? Those who have gone forth ought to speak softly; why then do you shout to one another in such an uproar? Such are those who are corrupt — what virtue do they have!

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

—Did this matter truly occur as reported?

—It truly occurred thus, Blessed One.

—From this time forward, you must speak softly when sitting in the house of a lay person.

Thereupon, the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down the precept for the bhikkhus — even those who have already heard it must hear it again:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA FROM INDIA

TOGETHER WITH THE ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

CERTIFIER OF MEANING: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH