四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 2.4

2.4

"If a bhikṣu intentionally manipulates his genitals to emit semen, except in dreams, it is a saṅghāvaśeṣa." This full Prātimokṣa text is analyzed in four clauses: first, brief heading; next, detailed explanation. Regarding the brief heading: first, the transgressor; second, the action; third, the exception; fourth, conclusion of the offense. Regarding the detailed explanation: "If a bhikṣu": among the eight kinds of bhikṣus, the eighth is one who has properly obtained ordination through a formal motion and three proclamations; this is the meaning of "if a bhikṣu." As for "intentionally manipulates his genitals to emit semen": this explains its objects. First, six names are listed; next, they are explained in order. Regarding the six names: the Vinaya states: with actual intent, deliberately having the intention to discharge semen, the objects before one are six: whether internal form, external form, internal-and-external form, water, wind, or space. If one emits through whatever expedient, an offense is committed. "Internal form" refers to parts of the bodies of living beings; because the mind and mental factors experience pleasure and pain, it is called sentient form. "External form" refers to non-sentient form; because it lacks mind and mental factors to experience, it is called non-sentient form. "Internal-and-external form" refers to the combination of sentient and non-sentient, called sentient-non-sentient form. As for "water, wind, and space," they can be known by analogy: in water, upstream or downstream; in wind, likewise; in space, moving one's body in mid-air, up to other objects. As for "except in dreams": the Vinaya states: sleeping with a distracted mind has five faults: first, bad dreams; second, devas do not protect one; third, the mind does not enter the Dharma; fourth, not contemplating the break of dawn; fifth, emitting semen in dreams. Sleeping with wholesome thoughts has five virtues, which are the reverse of the above clauses. If when about to sleep, one holds [the genitals] with one's hand and sleeps, intending to emit in dreams: if one emits while sleeping, an offense is committed; completion is not within the scope of the exception. If one originally had no intent and did not wish to emit, and it is emitted during a dream, it does not fall within the scope of an offense; hence it says "except in dreams." As for "saṅghāvaśeṣa": this is the name of the offense. The Vinaya states: "saṅgha" means the community; "avaśeṣa" means with remainder; it is named because the practiced dharma is not severed. If a bhikṣu applies expedients to emit semen toward the six kinds of objects as above and subsequently accomplishes his original intention, he incurs a saṅghāvaśeṣa offense in all cases. As the Maudgalyāyana Sūtra on Retribution for Offenses states: if a bhikṣu lacks shame and remorse, disparages the Buddha, and slanders, committing a saṅghāvaśeṣa offense, he falls into hell for the equivalent of an eight-thousand-year lifespan of the Paranirmitavaśavartin devas, which in human count is twenty-three billion and forty thousand years. Regarding "no offense": the Vinaya states: if one wakes during an emission in a dream, and out of fear of soiling body and robes presses and discards it with rags or hands; if it is discharged through lustful ideation; if seeing attractive form it is discharged without touching; if when walking it is discharged by rubbing between the two thighs; if discharged by touching robes; if discharged while bathing; if discharged by rubbing with hands—in all such cases where one has no intention to emit semen and it discharges spontaneously, there is no offense.