Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 21Na sakthni

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLAINING THE BEGINNING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– EXPLAINING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

21. "A rule of training: One must not sit with crossed legs in the house of a layperson (white-robed)."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time the group of six bhikkhus sat with crossed legs in the houses of laypeople and were ridiculed by the people: "Why do the Śākyan śramaṇas sit with crossed legs in the houses of laypeople, just like princes and great ministers? These are depraved ones; what spiritual conduct do they have!" The bhikkhus then brought this matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It truly was so, Blessed One.

—From now on, one must not sit with crossed legs in the house of a layperson.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established this training rule for the bhikkhus, which those who have already heard it must hear again:

21. "A rule of training: One must not sit with crossed legs in the house of a layperson (white-robed)."

Crossed legs: the thigh placed upon the thigh, the knee placed upon the knee, the calf placed upon the calf, the heel placed upon the top of the foot. One must not sit with crossed legs in the house of a layperson; rather, one must sit properly with both feet level. When receiving a meal at a monastery or in the presence of the Preceptor, the Ācārya, or an elder bhikkhu, one must not sit with legs crossed over one another.

If one is ill, one is permitted to sit with crossed legs, but upon seeing an elder monk one must resume a proper seated posture. If the soles of the feet are soiled with mud and one sits with crossed legs in order to remove the mud, there is no offense. If, with faculties unbridled, one sits with crossed legs in the house of a layperson, this is treating the rule of training with contempt.

Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule of training: One must not sit with crossed legs in the house of a layperson (white-robed)."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time the group of six bhikkhus sat with arms akimbo in the houses of laypeople and were ridiculed by the people: "Why do the Śākyan śramaṇas sit with arms akimbo in the houses of laypeople, just like princes, great ministers, and athletes? These are depraved ones; what spiritual conduct do they have!"

The bhikkhus then brought this matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered the group of six bhikkhus to be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this matter truly occur?

—It truly was so, Blessed One.

—From now on, one must not sit with arms akimbo in the house of a layperson.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established this training rule for the bhikkhus, which those who have already heard it must hear again:

Vietnamese translation: Thích Phước Sơn. MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

Chinese translation: THE TRIPIṬAKA MASTER BUDDHABHADRA OF INDIA

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

DOCTRINAL VERIFICATION: THÍCH ĐỖNG MINH