Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 51Sandals

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLICATING THE INITIAL SECTION OF THE RULES OF TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY:

– EXPLICATING THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE RULES OF TRAINING FOR THE COMMUNITY.

51. "A rule of training: One shall not teach the Dharma to one who wears leather sandals, unless that person is ill."

Leather sandals: either single-soled or double-soled.

Teaching the Dharma: as stated above.

One shall not teach the Dharma to one who is not ill yet wears leather sandals; however, if that person is ill, the Buddha declared there is no offense.

If a bhikkhu, while engaged in work for a stupa or for the Saṅgha, and so forth, and there is a lay attendant nearby, and he intends to teach the Dharma to that lay attendant—even if a king happens to hear it, he incurs no offense.

If a bhikkhu is in a dangerous place, a place of fear, and a guard says: "Venerable One, please teach the Dharma to me," then even if that person is wearing leather sandals, the bhikkhu who teaches the Dharma incurs no offense. If, however, one indulges the sense faculties and teaches the Dharma to one who is not ill yet wears leather sandals, this is a disregard for the rule of training. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no exemption from offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule of training: One shall not teach the Dharma to one who wears leather sandals, unless that person is ill."

When the Buddha was dwelling at Vesālī—as stated at length above. At that time, Nanda and Upananda taught the Dharma to the Licchavi youths who were wearing wooden clogs. People of the world criticized them, saying:

—Why do these Sakyan monastics teach the Dharma to those wearing clogs, just like stage performers? These are degenerate individuals—what moral conduct do they have! Furthermore, these youths also lack a respectful mind; upon hearing such a sublime teaching they ought to have removed their clogs—why did they listen while wearing them?

The bhikkhus then brought this matter and reported it to the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately had Nanda and Upananda summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Is it true that you did this?

—It is true, Blessed One.

—Why did you teach the Dharma to those who were not ill yet were wearing clogs? From this time forward, one shall not teach the Dharma to one wearing clogs, unless that person is ill.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established this precept for the bhikkhus—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