四分律比丘含注戒本 3

English (machine translation) 3

Language: English

3.1

Venerable sirs! These four pratideśanīya dharmas are recited half-month by half-month, coming from the Prātimokṣa Sūtra.

3.2

One: The precept on accepting food from an unrelated bhikṣuṇī in a village.

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The times were scarce and grain was expensive; countless people starved to death. The bhikṣuṇī Utpalavarṇā put on her robes, took her bowl, and entered the city to beg for food. For up to three days, she gave it all to the bhikṣus, and eventually collapsed from hunger on the road, lying with her face in the mud. The laity criticized and mocked this. The bhikṣus reported the fault and informed the Buddha, who rebuked [them] and formulated this precept.

3.4

If a bhikṣu, having entered a village, from an unrelated

3.5

(As explained above.)

3.6

bhikṣuṇī, when he is not sick,

3.7

(Also as above.)

3.8

accepts food with his own hand

3.9

(The two kinds of food are also as above.)

3.10

and eats it, that bhikṣu must confess to the other bhikṣus, saying: "Venerable sir! I have committed a blameworthy dharma, which ought not to be done. Now I confess to the venerable sir!" This is called a confessable dharma.

3.11

(If one receives it with one's own hand, an offense is committed mouthful by mouthful. For a bhikṣuṇī, a duṣkṛta. There is no offense if one receives food from a related bhikṣuṇī, or if one is sick. If it is placed on the ground, or if she has someone else offer it, or if it is given in a saṃghārāma, or given outside the village, or given in a bhikṣuṇī convent—accepting and receiving under such conditions incurs no offense.)

3.12

Two: The precept on eating food directed by a bhikṣuṇī.

3.13

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A great number of bhikṣus, together with the group-of-six, were eating at a layperson's house. At that time, the group-of-six bhikṣuṇīs asked for soup and rice, and out of order gave it to the group-of-six bhikṣus, saying: "Give soup to this one; give rice to this one." The bhikṣus reported the fault and informed the Buddha, who thereupon rebuked [them] and formulated the precept.

3.14

If a bhikṣu goes into the home of a layperson

3.15

(One where there are men and women is meant.)

3.16

to eat,

3.17

(As explained above.)

3.18

and there is a bhikṣuṇī giving directions: "Give soup to so-and-so, give rice to so-and-so," that bhikṣu ought to speak to that bhikṣuṇī, saying: "Elder sister, wait a moment; wait until all the bhikṣus have finished eating." If not a single bhikṣu says to that bhikṣuṇī: "Elder sister, wait a moment; wait until all the bhikṣus have finished eating," that bhikṣu ought to confess to the other bhikṣus, saying: "Venerable sir! I have committed a blameworthy dharma, which ought not to be done. I now confess to the venerable sir!" This is called a confessable dharma.

3.19

(If one eats without rebuking her, an offense is committed mouthful by mouthful. For a bhikṣuṇī, a duṣkṛta. There is no offense if one says: "Elder sister, wait a moment; wait until all the bhikṣus have finished eating"; if the bhikṣuṇī is herself the donor; if the donor prepares the meal and orders the bhikṣuṇī to arrange it; or if she does not intentionally show bias toward one or the other, there is no offense.)

3.20

Three: The precept on accepting food from a trainee family.

3.21

The Buddha was in Rājagṛha. A householder and his wife had both attained the vision of truth, and had no attachment or stinginess, even toward their own flesh. Since their offerings were vast, their clothing and food were completely exhausted. The householders criticized and mocked them, and the bhikṣus reported the fault. The Buddha ordered that by a jñaptidvitīya-karman the bhikṣus be prohibited [from accepting food there]; later, when they became wealthy again, it was revoked. He then formulated this precept.

3.22

If a trainee-family karman has previously been performed,

3.23

(The saṃgha has performed a jñaptidvitīya-karman for them. "Family" is as explained above.)

3.24

and if a bhikṣu, at such a trainee family, is not invited beforehand,

3.25

(If invited beforehand, he is permitted to go.)

3.26

and is not sick,

3.27

(A sick bhikṣu is permitted to take food from this family.)

3.28

accepts food with his own hand

3.29

(If they give it by placing it on the ground, or if they have someone else give it, it is permitted.)

3.30

and eats it, that bhikṣu must confess to the other bhikṣus, saying: "Venerable sir! I have committed a blameworthy dharma, which ought not to be done. I now confess to the venerable sir!" This is called a confessable dharma.

3.31

(If one accepts it with one's own hand, an offense is committed mouthful by mouthful. For a bhikṣuṇī, a duṣkṛta. There is no offense if one was invited beforehand, if one is sick, if one takes it after it is placed on the ground, if one receives it from an intermediary, or if one accepts food after the jñaptidvitīya-karman has been revoked—in all such cases there is no offense.)

3.32

Four: The precept on accepting food in a perilous wilderness dwelling.

3.33

The Buddha was in the Nyagrodha Park in the Śākya country. Women from the city brought food offerings, and bandits molested them along the way. The bhikṣus informed the Buddha of the matter, and the Buddha said, "They should be warned so they are aware," whereupon he formulated the precept.

3.34

If a bhikṣu is in an araṇya

3.35

(Five hundred bow-lengths away from a village, following the cubit-measure standard of the country of Campā.)

3.36

in a remote, perilous, and frightening place,

3.37

(Suspected of being dangerous with bandits and thieves.)

3.38

and if a bhikṣu dwelling in such an araṇya place does not beforehand inform the donors,

3.39

The Buddha said: "One ought to tell the women, 'Do not go out; there are bandits and danger on the road.'"

3.40

[The rule continues:] "If it has not been accepted outside the saṃghārāma,

3.41

If they have already left the city, one ought to tell them: "Do not go to the saṃghārāma, because there are bandits and danger on the road."

3.42

[The rule continues:] "and inside the saṃghārāma, being free from illness,

3.43

If someone purposely brings food, a sick person is permitted to accept it.

3.44

[The rule continues:] "he accepts food with his own hand,

3.45

Or if the donor places the food on the ground, or has someone else give it.

3.46

[The rule continues:] "and eats it, this bhikṣu must confess to the other bhikṣus, saying: 'Venerables! I have committed a blameworthy offense, which should not have been done; I now confess it to the Venerables!' This is called the rule of confession."

3.47

For a bhikṣuṇī, it is a duṣkṛta. As for non-offense: if they come to receive instructions and hear the Dharma, and he tells them to serve the food that he himself eats.

3.48

Venerables! I have recited the four prātideśanīya rules.

3.49

Now I ask the Venerables: are you pure in this?

3.50

(Spoken three times.)

3.51

Venerables! In this you are pure, because of your silence. Thus do I hold this matter.

3.52

Venerables! These are the rules of training (śikṣākaraṇīya), which are recited fortnightly and have come down in the Prātimokṣa Sūtra.

3.53

1. The rule on wearing the nivāsana neatly.

3.54

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six wore their nivāsanas untidily, so householders criticized them, saying: "They are like performers and actors joking and laughing at festivals, or like kings and ministers." The bhikṣus reported the fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproached them and laid down the precept.

3.55

[The rule:] "One should neatly

3.56

Signs of untidy clothing: "worn too low" means tying the waistband below the navel; "too high" means hitching it up level with the knees; "elephant trunk" means letting one corner hang in front; "tāla palm leaf" means letting two corners hang in front; "fine pleats" means pleating and wrinkling it around the waist.

3.57

[The rule continues:] "wear the nivāsana,

3.58

If one wears it untidily, intentionally doing so commits a duṣkṛta that requires confession; because it is done intentionally, it also commits an unseemly duṣkṛta. If not done intentionally, it is a duṣkṛta. The fourfold assembly, including bhikṣuṇīs, all commit a duṣkṛta. The conditions for committing offenses down to the following section all conform to this.

3.59

[The rule continues:] "a training to be observed."

3.60

As for non-offense: if sores develop on the navel, one wears it low; if there are sores on the knees or shins, one wears it high. Inside the saṃghārāma, outside the village, while working, or while walking on the road, there is no offense.

3.61

2. The rule on wearing the three robes neatly.

3.62

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six wore their robes untidily, and householders saw and criticized them: "They claim, 'We know the true Dharma,' but what true Dharma is there in this? They wear their robes untidily, no different from laymen." The bhikṣus reported the fault to the Buddha, and after contemplating the three periods of time, he laid down this precept.

3.63

"One should neatly wear the three robes: a training to be observed."

3.64

Among forms of untidiness: "worn too low" means hanging down past the elbow and exposing the flank; "too high" means pulled above the ankle; "elephant trunk" means letting one corner hang in front; "tāla palm leaf" means letting two corners hang in front while the back is hitched up high; "fine pleats" means pleating it and fixing the border. As for non-offense: if there are sores on the shoulder or arm and one wears it low, this is the same as the exemptions mentioned above.

3.65

3. The rule on flipping up the robes in the homes of laypeople.

3.66

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six flipped up their robes as they walked into the homes of laypeople, and householders criticized them, saying: "They have no sense of shame, just like the class of kings, ministers, and householders." The bhikṣus reported the fault, and the Buddha reproached them and laid down the precept.

3.67

[The rule:] "One must not flip up the robes

3.68

This means flipping up the robe from the left or right side and placing it over the shoulder.

3.69

[The rule continues:] "while walking into the homes of laypeople,

3.70

[That is,] villages.

3.71

[The rule continues:] "a training to be observed."

3.72

As for non-offense: if one has sores or an illness on the ribs and flanks, or inside the saṃghārāma, or while walking on the road, or while working.

3.73

4. "One must not sit with the robes flipped up in the homes of laypeople: a training to be observed."

3.74

5. The rule on wrapping the robe around the neck in the homes of laypeople.

3.75

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six entered the homes of laypeople with their robes wrapped around their necks, and householders disparaged them, saying: "They are like the class of householders and elders." The bhikṣus reported the fault, and the Buddha reproached them and laid down the precept.

3.76

[The rule:] "One must not wrap the robe around the neck

3.77

This means gathering the corners of the robe and placing them on the neck.

3.78

[The rule continues:] "when entering the homes of laypeople: a training to be observed."

3.79

As for non-offense: if one is ill, if there are sores on the shoulder or arm, or inside the monastery, or outside the village, or while working, or while walking on the road.

3.80

6. "One must not sit with the robe wrapped around the neck in the homes of laypeople: a training to be observed."

3.81

7. The rule on covering the head in the homes of laypeople.

3.82

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six entered the homes of laypeople with their heads covered, and householders criticized them, saying: "What true Dharma is this! Covering their heads like bandits." The bhikṣus heard this and reported the fault, and the Buddha reproached them and laid down the precept.

3.83

[The rule:] "One must not cover the head

3.84

Whether with tree leaves, or pieces of cloth, or by covering it with a robe.

3.85

[The rule continues:] "when entering the homes of laypeople: a training to be observed."

3.86

As for non-offense: if one is ill, if one suffers from cold, or if there are sores on the head, or if running with the head covered due to danger to life or danger to pure conduct.

3.87

8. "One must not sit with the head covered in the homes of laypeople: a training to be observed."

3.88

9. The rule on jumping while walking in the homes of laypeople.

3.89

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six jumped while walking into the homes of laypeople, and householders criticized them, saying: "Shameless! Entering a room just like crows and sparrows." The bhikṣus reported the fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproached them and laid down the precept.

3.90

[The rule:] "One must not jump while walking

3.91

Jumping with both feet while walking.

3.92

[The rule continues:] "when entering the homes of laypeople: a training to be observed."

3.93

As for non-offense: if one is ill, or being beaten by someone, or if there are bandits, or ferocious beasts, or thorns, or jumping across when crossing a ditch, a moat, or mud.

3.94

10. "One must not jump while walking when sitting in the homes of laypeople: a training to be observed."

3.95

11. The rule on squatting in the homes of laypeople.

3.96

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder invited the Saṃgha to his home to offer a meal. The group of six squatted, and being jostled by their seat-mates, they fell backward, exposing themselves. The householders disparaged them, saying: "Shameless! Exposing themselves just like brahmins." The bhikṣus reported the fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproached them and laid down the precept.

3.97

[The rule:] "One must not squat down when sitting inside the homes of laypeople,

3.98

Whether on the ground or on a bed, with the buttocks not touching the surface.

3.99

[this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.

3.100

There is no offence: if at times one is ill, having sores about the buttocks; if one is giving something; if one is paying homage; if one is repenting; or if one is receiving instruction.

3.101

12. The precept on arms akimbo in a layperson's house.

3.102

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six went walking into a layperson's house with their arms akimbo. Householders criticised them, saying, 'The śramaṇas claim, "We know the true Dharma," yet with their hands they set their arms akimbo, like newly married men who have got their desire and act haughtily and unrestrainedly.' The bhikṣus reported this fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.103

'One must not with arms akimbo

3.104

(because of squaring the elbows)

3.105

walk into a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.106

There is no offence: if one is ill, having sores under the armpits; if within a saṅghārāma; if outside a village; if at a time of work; or if walking along a road.

3.107

13. 'One must not with arms akimbo

3.108

(because of squaring the elbows, hindering the adjacent bhikṣu)'s seat)

3.109

sit in a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.110

14. The precept on swaying the body in a layperson's house.

3.111

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six entered a layperson's house swaying their bodies. Householders criticised them, saying, 'Shameless! Swaying their bodies like kings and great ministers.' The bhikṣus reported this fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.112

'One must not walk swaying the body

3.113

(twisting the body from left to right and walking hastily)

3.114

into a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.115

There is no offence: if one is ill; if one is being beaten by someone and twists the body to avoid the stick; if one is attacked by a vicious beast, or meets someone carrying sharp stakes, and twists the body to avoid it; if one crosses a pit and sways the body to get across; or if one puts on robes and checks whether they are neat.

3.116

15. 'One must not walk swaying the body and sit in a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.117

16. The precept on swinging the arms while walking in a layperson's house.

3.118

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six entered a layperson's house swinging their arms. Householders criticised them, saying, 'Shameless! Swinging their arms like kings and elders.' The bhikṣus reported this fault, and the Buddha reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.119

'One must not walk swinging the arms

3.120

(dropping the arms and walking with them swinging back and forth)

3.121

into a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.122

There is no offence: if one is ill; if one is beaten by someone and raises a hand to block it; if a vicious beast or someone carrying sharp stakes comes and one raises a hand to block it; if one swims across a ditch; or if one beckons a companion with one's hand.

3.123

17. 'One must not walk swinging the arms and sit in a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.124

18. The precept on exposing the body in a layperson's house.

3.125

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six entered a layperson's house without properly covering their bodies. Householders criticised them, saying, 'The clothing they wear does not properly cover their bodies, just like brahmins.' The bhikṣus reported this, and the Buddha thereupon reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.126

'One must properly cover the body when entering a layperson's house

3.127

(referring to being in a village with parts of the body exposed here and there);

3.128

[this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.129

There is no offence: if one is ill; if one is bound; or if the wind blows the robe away from the body.

3.130

19. 'One must properly cover the body and sit in a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.131

20. The precept on looking about in a layperson's house.

3.132

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six entered a layperson's house looking to the left and right. Householders criticised them, saying, 'Like thieves!' The bhikṣus reported this fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.133

'One must not looking to the left and right

3.134

(referring to being in a village and looking everywhere)

3.135

walk into a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.136

There is no offence: if one is ill; if one looks up to observe the time of day; or if, facing the two perils of life or celibacy, one watches and looks everywhere to find a convenient path to flee.

3.137

21. 'One must not looking to the left and right sit in a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.138

22. The precept on loud voices in a layperson's house.

3.139

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six entered a layperson's house calling out loudly. Householders criticised them, saying, 'Like brahmins, shameless and without true Dharma!' The bhikṣus reported this fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.140

'Quietly and silently one must enter a layperson's house

3.141

(here, "not being silent" means calling out loudly, or giving instructions [loudly], or distributing food with a loud voice);

3.142

[this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.143

There is no offence: if one is ill; if someone is deaf and cannot hear, so that one must instruct them loudly; if distributing food with a loud voice; or if, facing the two perils of life or celibacy, one cries out loudly while running away.

3.144

23. 'Quietly and silently one must sit in a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.145

24. The precept on laughing playfully in a layperson's house.

3.146

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. The group of six walked into a layperson's house laughing playfully. Householders criticised them, saying, 'Shameless! Laughing playfully like macaques, what true Dharma do they have!' The bhikṣus reported this fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.147

'One must not playfully laugh

3.148

(laughing with bared teeth)

3.149

while walking into a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.150

There is no offence: if one is ill; if one's lips hurt and do not cover the teeth; or if one smiles with joy when mindful of the Dharma.

3.151

25. 'One must not playfully laugh and sit in a layperson's house; [this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.152

26. The precept on receiving food without mindfulness.

3.153

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder invited the Saṅgha and provided a meal. The group of six received the food without mindfulness, spilling and discarding the soup and rice. The householders criticised them, saying, 'The śramaṇas are insatiable; out of greed they accept much, as if grain were dear.' The bhikṣus reported this fault, and the Buddha thereupon reproved them and instituted the rule:

3.154

'Mindfully one must receive food

3.155

("without mindfulness" means spilling and discarding soup, rice, and food);

3.156

[this is a] śikṣākāraṇīya.'

3.157

There is no offence: if at times one has such an illness; if because the bowl is small one spills rice when eating; or if it merely falls back onto the table.

3.158

27. The precept on receiving food overflowing the bowl.

3.159

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder invited the saṃgha. The group of six [monks] accepted food until their bowls overflowed, and discarded soup and rice. The householder criticized them, saying: "They have no shame and no moderation, like starving people greedy for much." The bhikṣus brought up the fault, and [the Buddha] consequently rebuked them and formulated the precept.

3.160

"One should level with the bowl

3.161

(Not level means overflowing the bowl.)

3.162

accept food: a śikṣākaraṇīya."

3.163

Those who do not commit an offense: at times one is ill, or the bowl is small, or [the food] falls onto the table.

3.164

28. The precept on accepting soup until the bowl overflows.

3.165

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder prepared an offering of food. The group of six took too much rice, so that it could not accommodate soup. The householder criticized them, saying: "Like starving people greedy for food." The bhikṣus brought up the fault, and the Buddha consequently rebuked them and formulated [the precept].

3.166

"Level with the bowl, one should accept soup,

3.167

(overflowing and soiling [the bowl])

3.168

: a śikṣākaraṇīya."

3.169

Those who do not commit an offense: at times one is ill, or the bowl is small, or it falls onto the dining table, or one accepts evenly.

3.170

29. The precept on accepting food unevenly.

3.171

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder prepared an offering of food, personally serving it. After serving the rice himself, he went inside to fetch soup and returned, but the rice had already been finished; when he then gave the soup, he went back again to fetch rice, and when the rice was brought, the soup was finished. He criticized them for resembling starving people. The bhikṣus brought up the fault, and [the Buddha] consequently rebuked them and formulated the precept.

3.172

"One should eat soup and rice equally,

3.173

(Those who are unequal are those who finish the soup by the time the rice arrives.)

3.174

: a śikṣākaraṇīya."

3.175

Those who do not commit an offense: one who is ill; if one specifically needs soup and does not need rice, and likewise if one needs rice; or if the [proper] time is about to pass, or in the two perils of life and celibacy, eating swiftly.

3.176

30. The precept on not eating food in order.

3.177

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder prepared an offering of food, personally serving it. The group of six took food out of order. The householder criticized them, saying: "Without satisfaction, like pigs, dogs, oxen, donkeys, camels, and crows." The bhikṣus brought up the fault, and the Buddha consequently rebuked them and formulated [the precept].

3.178

"One should eat in order,

3.179

(Those who do not eat in order are those who take food from here and there in the bowl and eat.)

3.180

: a śikṣākaraṇīya."

3.181

Those who do not commit an offense: one who is ill; or suffering from the food being hot, taking from a cool spot; if the [proper] time is about to pass, or in the two perils of life and celibacy, eating swiftly.

3.182

31. The precept on digging out the center of food in the bowl.

3.183

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder prepared an offering of food, personally serving it. When the group of six received the food, they scooped out the center of the bowl so that it appeared empty. The householder criticized them, saying: "Insatiable in receiving food, like oxen, donkeys, horses, camels, pigs, and dogs." The bhikṣus reported it to the Buddha, who consequently rebuked them and formulated the precept.

3.184

"One must not scoop out the center of the bowl

3.185

(leaving food on the four sides and digging out the center of the bowl down to the bottom)

3.186

and eat: a śikṣākaraṇīya."

3.187

Those who do not commit an offense: one who is ill; suffering from the food being hot, opening the center to let it cool; if the [proper] time is about to pass, or in the two perils of life and celibacy, eating quickly by scooping the center.

3.188

32. The precept on requesting food for oneself.

3.189

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder prepared an offering of food. The group of six requested food for themselves as if starving. The householder criticized them, saying: "What True Dharma is this! Taking without satisfaction." The bhikṣus brought up the fault, and the Buddha consequently rebuked them and formulated [the precept].

3.190

"When not ill,

3.191

(When ill, it is permitted to request food for oneself.)

3.192

one must not request soup and rice for oneself: a śikṣākaraṇīya."

3.193

Those who do not commit an offense: if one is ill; if it is for another; if another does it for oneself; or if one obtains it without seeking.

3.194

33. The precept on covering soup with rice.

3.195

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder prepared an offering of food. The group of six received soup, and when the householder recognized the order to distribute soup, the bhikṣus afterward covered the soup with rice. The householder criticized them, saying: "Taking without satisfaction, like starving people—what True Dharma is this!" The bhikṣus brought up the fault, and the Buddha consequently rebuked them and formulated the precept.

3.196

"One must not cover soup with rice in the hope of getting more: a śikṣākaraṇīya."

3.197

Those who do not commit an offense: one who is ill; if one is invited to eat; or if one specifically needs soup, or sometimes specifically needs rice.

3.198

34. The precept on looking askance at a neighbor's seat.

3.199

The Buddha was in Śrāvastī. A householder prepared food. The group of six received little, while the neighboring seats received much. They said to the householder: "Now that you invite the saṃgha, you arbitrarily give more or less. The householder has favoritism." He replied: "We gave [evenly]." The bhikṣus brought up the fault, and the Buddha consequently formulated the precept.

3.200

"One must not look into the bowl of a neighboring seat

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Linked texts (1)

四分律比丘含注戒本 — Classical Chinese