Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 2Evenly All Around (2nd)

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLAINING THE BEGINNING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

2. "One must train: to robe oneself evenly all around."

When putting on the robe, one must do so evenly and properly. It must not be rolled up like something wound around a spool, but must cover the left shoulder evenly, with the two corners of the robe level with each other. When robing, one must not allow the corner of the robe in one's hand to stick out like a goat's ear; one must not behave like a courtesan selling her beauty, looking to the right and to the left to see whether one looks attractive or not.

One need only ensure that the robe is in accordance with the Dhamma, properly arranged, neither too high nor too low. If the robe touches the ground, one may lift it up with the hand and brush it off. If, through negligence of the sense faculties, one robes oneself improperly, this constitutes disregarding a rule of training.

If one is mad or mentally disturbed, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"One must train: to robe oneself evenly all around."

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time, Nanda and Upananda wore thin, sheer inner garments that revealed their bodies; and the group of six bhikkhus likewise wore soiled and tattered robes that exposed their hips, chests, backs, and elbows. Together they entered the homes of lay supporters, and people of the world mocked them, saying:

—Just look at those! Samaṇas, sons of the Sakyan, and yet they are like kings and ministers, wearing thin, sheer inner garments that expose their entire bodies.

And when people saw others wearing ragged robes, they said to one another:

—Just look at those! Samaṇas, sons of the Sakyan, wearing robes that expose their bodies like servants, like lowly hired laborers entering our homes. These are degenerates—what kind of spiritual path is this!

The bhikkhus heard these remarks and reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha then directed that the group of six bhikkhus be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Did this truly happen as reported?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—From now on, you must cover your bodies properly when entering the homes of white-robed laypeople.

The Buddha then issued an order for all the bhikkhus residing in Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down the following rule 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 OF INDIA

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

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH