Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 23Na niṣaṇṇo hastaṁ kokṛtyamvā pādakaukṛtyamvā

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLICATING THE OPENING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– EXPLICATING THE REMAINING SEKHIYA RULES.

23. "A rule of training: One must not wave the hands and feet about while seated in the house of a white-robed layperson."

While seated in the house of a white-robed layperson, one must not move the hands and feet, wave the hands and feet, or pluck at grass; rather, one must sit in a composed and dignified manner. If someone asks a question, one must first maintain proper deportment and discipline, and then answer accordingly. If they ask about the four sacred shrines, one may use the hand to point and say: "That is the place of the birth, that is the place of the Attainment of the Way, that is the place of the Turning of the Wheel of the Dharma, that is the place of entry into Nirvana"—this incurs no offense.

If a donor wishes to construct a monastery for bhikkhus, the bhikkhu should examine the terrain and layout, determine where construction is feasible, and then extend a hand to point and say: "Here a monastery may be built, here a lecture hall may be built, there a warming house may be built, there monks' quarters may be built"—this incurs no offense. If one gives free rein to the sense faculties and waves the hands and feet about while seated in the house of a white-robed layperson, one thereby shows disregard for this rule of training.

Except in the case of a mind disturbed by madness, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule of training: One must not wave the hands and feet about while seated in the house of a white-robed layperson."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī—as related in full above—at that time a donor offered a meal to the Saṅgha at the monastery. When they began to serve the meal, the group of six bhikkhus demanded water for washing their hands and for rinsing their bowls. Upon hearing this, the donor set down the tray of hot rice on the ground and admonished them:

—I left my home and came to the monastery to provide this meal in the hope that the Saṅgha, with unified and pure minds, would seek merit; yet now, at the very moment the meal is being served, requests of this and that kind are being made. Those who have gone forth should be mindful while eating—why, in the midst of a meal, must there be so many additional demands?

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

—Did this thing truly occur?

—It truly happened thus, Blessed One.

—From now on, you must be mindful when receiving food.

Thereupon the Buddha instructed all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī to assemble together, and for ten benefits he laid down a rule for the bhikkhus—one that, even if already heard, must be heard 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