Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 42Finding Fault

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLAINING THE BEGINNING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– EXPLAINING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

42. "A rule to be trained in: One must not look into the bowl of the person seated nearby with a fault-finding mind."

If the one in charge of the meal looks in order to know where food has already been served and where it has not yet been served, there is no offense.

If an attendant disciple or a dependent disciple is ill, and one looks into their bowl to determine whether the food is suitable for the illness, there is no offense. Likewise, if one looks at those seated above or below to determine whether food has been served or not, there is no offense.

If one, with unrestrained faculties, looks into the bowl of the person seated nearby with a fault-finding mind, this is to disregard the rule to be trained in. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule to be trained in: One must not look into the bowl of the person seated nearby with a fault-finding mind."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Sāvatthī, as told in full above. At that time, a lay supporter came to the monastery to offer a meal to the Sangha. A certain bhikkhu had placed his bowl before him and turned to speak with the person seated beside him. The group of six bhikkhus then took the bowl and placed it elsewhere. When the server came with food, that bhikkhu could not find his bowl and groped along the ground searching for it, causing his hand to become soiled. He then asked the donor for water to wash his hands. At that point, the donor set down the vessel of rice on the ground and complained:

—I have set aside my household affairs, wishing to make merit by offering rice to the Sangha. The Sangha should properly receive the food with composure. Yet now, when the rice is brought to him, the venerable one asks for water to wash his hands. Those who have gone forth should keep their minds composed and eat looking into their bowls. These are people of degraded conduct — what spiritual practice do they have!

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

—Did this thing truly happen as reported?

—It truly happened thus, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, you must keep the mind composed and eat looking into the bowl.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus to assemble, and for ten beneficial reasons he established this rule for the bhikkhus; and 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

Verification of meaning: Thích Đỗng Minh