Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 3Well-Covered

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE BEGINNING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

3. "One should train thus: to cover the body well when entering the homes of white-robed laypeople."

If the antaravāsaka robe is being sewn, thick cloth must be used. If the cloth is thin, it must be sewn in two or three layers. If the antaravāsaka is thin, then the uttarāsaṅga must be sewn from thick cloth. If the uttarāsaṅga is thin, then the saṅghāṭī must be sewn from thick cloth. If one enters the homes of white-robed laypeople with unrestrained faculties and without covering the body properly, this is to disregard a rule of training. However, if one is deranged or out of one's mind, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

—One should train thus: To cover the body well when entering the homes of white-robed laypeople.

When the Buddha was residing in the city of Sāvatthī, as described in full above. At that time a group of six bhikkhus, upon entering the homes of laypeople, would look about at elephants, horses, camels, and birds, or would watch female performers singing and dancing, and so were mocked by people of the world:

—Why do the śramaṇas, sons of the Sakyan, look to the east and to the west like spies?

Some people tauntingly asked:

—Has the Venerable lost something, that he looks about on both sides as if searching? When a person who has gone forth enters someone's home, he should walk looking straight ahead! These are degenerate ones — what kind of path is this!

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

—Did this actually happen as said?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—From now on, you must enter the homes of white-robed laypeople looking straight ahead.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down the training rule for the bhikkhus, so that 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 ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Doctrinal verification: Thích Đổng Minh