四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.100

3.100

"If a bhikṣu has a cause or condition, he is permitted to go into an army for two nights; if he exceeds three nights, it is a prāyaścittika." This complete Prātimokṣa text contains three phrases: first, the transgressor; second, the condition for exemption; third, the offense of violation. The first phrase can be understood. Second, regarding "having a cause or condition": the Vinaya states that there are conditions such as being summoned or having one's own business. The Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā permits going for the sake of the fruit of the śramaṇa, for the sake of nourishing the Buddhadharma, and for the sake of increasing the mind of faith and reverence; furthermore, because monastic and lay rely upon each other to accomplish the Buddhadharma, he is permitted to go where there is benefit for up to three nights. Third, regarding "if he exceeds... it is a prāyaścittika": this determines the offense of violation. The Vinaya states that if, upon reaching the third night, the break of dawn has not yet appeared, he should leave the range of sight and hearing. If he does not leave and the break of dawn appears, he commits a prāyaścittika. If he leaves sight but not hearing, or vice versa, he commits a duṣkṛta. If he goes there on the fourth night, he commits the offense in the early night itself, not waiting for the break of dawn. The Vinaya states: as for non-offense, if he stays two nights and up to the third night, and leaves the range of sight and hearing before the break of dawn appears; or if the water or land roads are cut off, or there are perils such as vicious warfare, none of these is an offense.