四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 2.45

2.45

The fourth precept: Taking a robe from an unrelated bhikṣuṇī. 1. Purpose of institution: There are three kinds of faults. First, generally speaking, an inferior respects a superior and looks up to them with deep devotion; whatever wealth and property they possess, they desire to give it away, yielding without defiance. When an ordained monk is unrelated, he often does not consider [their means] and accepts it as soon as he gets it, exhausting the other's property. Second, there is a bodily distinction between male and female, and in principle there is no escape [from suspicion]; when property is exchanged, thoughts and feelings arise, creating mutual intimacy; due to these matters defilement may arise, potentially destroying pure conduct. Being adjacent to perilous matters, one must be extremely cautious. Third, one's traces become involved in worldly criticism, attracting slander; purity and guilt become difficult to distinguish, and neither can extricate themselves, leading to various faults. For this reason, the Sage instituted the precept. 2. Explanation of the name: Can be known. 3. Specific conditions: There are five. First, she is a bhikṣuṇī, excluding the lower two assemblies; according to the Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya, robes from the lower two assemblies do not incur an offense, while the Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā holds that the lower [assemblies] incur the same offense as with a bhikṣuṇī. Second, she is not a relative; excluding relatives, there is no offense. Third, it is of proper measure and is one of the five robes; according to the Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā, if it is a robe of proper measure, it is a duṣkṛta. Fourth, given with empty mind (unreserved generosity); meaning if obtained by begging or through trade, there is no offense. Fifth, accepting it so that it belongs to oneself: immediately an offense is committed. 4. Incomplete conditions: Can be known by comparison. Below, the Prātimokṣa text is directly clarified. This precept arose because an alms-gathering bhikṣu accepted an expensive saṃghāṭī robe from the nun Utpalavarṇā; therefore the Buddha instituted the precept.