Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 53Covering the Head

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– EXPLAINING THE BEGINNING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– EXPLAINING THE REMAINING SECTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

53. "It should be trained: One should not teach the Dharma to a person who has covered their head, except when they are ill."

Illness: the Blessed One declares there is no offense.

Covering the head: completely covering the head entirely.

Teaching the Dharma: As stated above, but one may teach the Dharma to a sick person (who has covered their head); there is no offense.

If a bhikkhu, on account of affairs concerning a stūpa or the Saṅgha, goes to the dwelling of a king or a landowner, and so forth — even if there is a净人 (lay attendant) nearby — one may think of oneself as teaching the Dharma for that person's benefit; even if the king hears it, there is no offense.

When a bhikkhu travels to a dangerous and frightening road and the person guarding the way says, "Venerable One, please teach the Dharma for me to hear," then even if that person has their head covered, one may teach the Dharma to them and there is no offense. If, with unrestrained faculties, one teaches the Dharma to a person who is not ill and who has covered their head, this constitutes disregard for the rule that should be trained. Except when the mind is deranged, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"It should be trained: One should not teach the Dharma to a person who has covered their head, except when they are ill."

When the Buddha was dwelling at Vesālī — as explained in full above — at that time Nanda and Upananda taught the Dharma to the Licchavi youths who had their turbans wrapped upon their heads. The people of the world ridiculed them, saying:

— Why do the Śākyan monastics act like performers, teaching the Dharma to those who have their turbans wrapped upon their heads? These are persons of degenerate conduct — what spiritual virtue do they possess! Moreover, these youths also lack a reverential mind — hearing such sublime Dharma, why do they listen to it with their heads wrapped in turbans?

The bhikkhus then brought the matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately ordered Nanda and Upananda to be summoned. When they arrived, the Buddha asked:

— Did this matter truly occur as reported?

— It did indeed, Blessed One.

— Why did you teach the Dharma to those who were not ill and yet had their heads wrapped in turbans? From this day forward, one must not teach the Dharma to a person who has their head wrapped in a turban, except when they are ill.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus dwelling in the city of Vesālī to assemble together, and for the sake of ten benefits he established this rule 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 ŚRAMAṆA FAXIAN, TRANSLATED DURING THE EASTERN JIN DYNASTY

Verification of meaning: Thích Đỗng Minh