Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 55Nokkuṭikaṁ nisinnassa

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFICATION OF THE BEGINNING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– CLARIFICATION OF THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE SEKHIYA RULES.

55. "It should be trained: One must not teach the Dhamma to a person who is sitting huddled with knees drawn up and arms clasped around them while listening, unless they are ill.

Ill: the Blessed One declares there is no offense.

Arms clasped around the knees: clasping the arms, clasping the robe, clasping even the fastening cord.

Teaching the Dhamma: as stated above. If one teaches the Dhamma to a person who is ill, there is no offense.

If a bhikkhu, on account of affairs relating to the Stūpa or the Sangha, goes to the residence of a king or a landowner, and if beside them there happens to be a layperson of pure status, one should reflect that one is teaching the Dhamma for the sake of that layperson; even if the king hears, there is no offense. If one gives free rein to the sense faculties and teaches the Dhamma to a person who is not ill and who sits listening with knees drawn up and arms clasped around them, this is to show disregard for the rule that should be trained. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"It should be trained: One must not teach the Dhamma to a person who is sitting huddled with knees drawn up and arms clasped around them while listening, unless they are ill."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Vesālī, as explained in detail above. At that time, Nanda and Upananda taught the Dhamma to the Licchavi youths who sat listening with their legs crossed, and people of the world mocked them, saying:

—Why do these Sakyan monastics behave like performers, teaching the Dhamma to people sitting with their legs crossed? These are corrupt individuals; what spiritual conduct do they have! But these youths also have no spirit of reverence — when hearing the sublime Dhamma in such a manner, they ought to sit properly; why do they sit with their legs crossed?

The bhikkhus then brought this matter before the Blessed One. The Buddha immediately instructed that Nanda and Upananda be summoned. When they had come, the Buddha asked:

—Is this matter true of you?

—It is truly so, Blessed One.

—Why did you teach the Dhamma to persons who were not ill, sitting with their legs crossed while listening? From this time forth, one must not teach the Dhamma to a person sitting with legs crossed while listening, unless they are ill.

Thereupon the Buddha commanded all the bhikkhus to assemble, and for the sake of ten benefits he laid down 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