法苑珠林 91.47

91.47

Furthermore, the Vinaya of the Bequeathed Teaching states: If an ordained person rides in a carriage or on a horse for one day, it negates five hundred days of fasting. Riding for the three hundred and sixty days of a year is calculated to eliminate one hundred and eighty thousand days of fasting. Śāriputra asked the Buddha, “Why does a bhikṣu riding negate five hundred days of fasting?” The Buddha said, “A bhikṣu is one who knows the prohibitions and vinaya. When others see him, they give rise to slander, causing others to incur guilt. This does not apply to riding temporarily on account of old age or illness; that is not an offence.” (Question: “Why is this not discussed for laypeople?” Answer: “The ordained are pure and tranquil, and have pity and compassion for sentient beings; therefore, others find it strange. White-robed laypeople are defiled and turbid, constantly committing sins, and killing is ordinary for them; why speak of light transgressions? Thus, when people see them, they do not find it strange.”)