Lzh Mg Bu Vb Sk 60Holding a Sunshade

– MAHĀSĀṂGHIKA VINAYA

– CLARIFYING THE FIRST PART OF THE SEKHIYA RULES:

– CLARIFYING THE REMAINING SEKHIYA RULES.

60. "A rule of training: One must not teach the Dharma to a person who is holding a sunshade and listening, unless they are ill."

Illness: the Blessed One declares there is no offense.

Sunshade: a sunshade made of bark, a sunshade made of tāla leaves, of tālī leaves, of bamboo strips, of multiple folds, of peacock tail feathers — in general, any object capable of sheltering one from rain and sun is called a sunshade.

Teaching the Dharma: as stated above, one must not teach the Dharma to a person who is not ill and is holding a sunshade while listening; but if they are ill, there is no offense.

If a bhikkhu, on business concerning a stūpa or the Saṅgha, goes to the residence of a king or a landowner, and they say, "Bhikkhu, please teach me the Dharma," one must not tell them to put down their sunshade, for fear of arousing doubt in their minds. If a净 person (净人, kappiya-kāraka) is nearby, one should think of oneself as teaching the Dharma to that净 person; even if the king hears, there is no offense.

If one teaches the Dharma to a Dharma master or a Vinaya master during rain, wind, cold, snow, or intense heat, and they are holding a sunshade, there is no offense.

If one is heedless with the sense faculties and teaches the Dharma to a person who is not ill and who holds a sunshade while listening, this is to show disregard for the rule of training. Except in the case of mental derangement, there is no offense. Therefore it is said:

"A rule of training: One must not teach the Dharma to a person who is holding a sunshade and listening, unless they are ill."

When the Buddha was dwelling in the city of Vesālī — the full account is as given above. At that time, Nanda and Upananda walked behind the Licchavi youths and taught them the Dharma. People of the world criticized them, saying:

— Why do Śākyan monastics behave like performers, walking behind others and teaching the Dharma to those who walk in front? These are corrupt individuals — what virtue do they possess! Moreover, these youths too have no spirit of reverence; when listening to such sublime Dharma, they ought to walk behind and listen.

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

— Is it true that you did this?

— It is true, Blessed One.

— Why did you walk behind persons who were not ill and teach them the Dharma while they walked ahead of you? From now on, one must not walk behind others and teach the Dharma to those walking in front, unless they are ill.

Then the Buddha instructed all the bhikkhus to assemble, and for ten reasons established this precept for the bhikkhus — let all who have already heard it hear it again:

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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.

Doctrinal verification: Thích Đổng Minh