Bi Pc 8585. Traveling in a vehicle

Yāna (85) - On Traveling in a Vehicle

Background

This rule is recorded in the Pātimokkha — the code of Pātimokkhasaṃvara (restraint through the Pātimokkha) for Bhikkhunīs (nuns), an important part of the Vinaya Piṭaka. The Pātimokkha rules are the fundamental precepts that a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī must observe daily in order to protect purity of conduct. The rule concerning the use of vehicles (Yāna) reflects a subtle balance between the practical needs of the contemplative life and the principles of humility and non-deviation in Buddhist practice.

The circumstances that gave rise to this rule relate to specific occasions when nuns in the early Saṅgha needed to travel from one place to another. The question arose: should one make use of conveyances such as horse-drawn carriages, war chariots, or other types of vehicles? In particular, would doing so violate the spirit of the Holy Teaching regarding indulgence and attachment? On this occasion the Buddha emphasized that, although sometimes necessary, the use of vehicles should be regarded as a minor offense and must be confessed sincerely before the community.

Main Content

According to rule 85 in the Pātimokkha of the Bhikkhunīs, if a nun travels in a vehicle (yāna) — of whatever kind, whether a horse-drawn carriage, a hand-drawn cart, or any other means of conveyance — she must confess this offense. It is classified as a Pācittiya, that is, a minor offense requiring confession and expression of remorse.

The nature of this rule is not an absolute prohibition preventing nuns from using any form of transportation whatsoever. Rather, it serves as a cautionary reminder: when making use of comforts or means of conveyance — even when doing so is necessary for one's practice or for the purpose of benefiting beings — one must still remain mindful that one is entering a domain of potential danger, namely, the craving for comfort and deviation from the spirit of simplicity and walking alone.