Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 46Soiling

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE BEGINNING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– CLARIFYING THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

46. "A training rule to be observed: One must not hold a water cup with a soiled hand."

When eating, a bhikkhu should keep his left hand clean, use his right hand to receive the water cup, and bring it to his lips to drink. One must not insert the rim of the cup deep into the mouth, nor allow the rim of the cup to touch the nose or forehead. One must not drink until the cup is completely empty; rather, one should leave about one mouthful, pour it out, then rinse the cup clean with water, and pass it on to the person seated below oneself.

If the left hand is afflicted with a skin disease, then use the right hand to scrape along the rim of the bowl (to remove any remaining food) and then wash it with clean water. If it cannot be washed clean, then use a leaf to hold the water cup and drink; after drinking, proceed as described above. If one, through negligence of the sense faculties, holds a water cup with a soiled hand, this constitutes disregard for the training rule to be observed.

Except in the case of mental derangement, there is an offense. Therefore it is said:

"A training rule to be observed: One must not hold a water cup with a soiled hand."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Śrāvastī—the full account is as above. At that time, a householder came to the monastery to offer a meal to the Saṅgha. When the meal was finished, the group of six bhikkhus poured the leftover rice from their bowls onto the ground, and they were accordingly reproached by the donor, who said:

—Does the Venerable One think that this food can be obtained without cost? I took from my wife's share to perform this meritorious deed. A single grain of rice requires a hundred labors. Why then pour it onto the ground? These are corrupt individuals—what spiritual conduct do they have!

The bhikkhus then reported the matter to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately instructed that the group of six bhikkhus be summoned. When they had arrived, the Buddha asked:

—Did this actually happen among you?

—It did indeed, Blessed One.

—From this day forward, you must not pour leftover rice from the bowl onto the ground.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he established a precept for the bhikkhus, which all must hear, even those who have already heard it:

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

Meaning verified by: Thích Đỗng Minh