四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.105

3.105

"If a bhikṣu sports in the water, it is a prāyaścittika." The Prātimokṣa text contains three phrases: first, the violation; second, water sport; third, the determination of the offense. In distinguishing the characteristics, the first phrase can be understood. Second, regarding "sports in the water": the Vinaya states that giving free rein to one's desires, going from here to there, swimming against or with the current, diving under here and surfacing there, striking the water with hands to splash one another, down to filling a bowl with water to play with—it is a prāyaścittika. Third, regarding "prāyaścittika": the name of the violation. The Vinaya states that a bhikṣu playing in the water as described above in all cases commits a prāyaścittika offense. Except for water, if playing with curd whey, alcohol, or barley juice in a vessel, in all cases one commits a duṣkṛta. The Mahāsāṃghika Vinaya states that splashing between water and land is a duṣkṛta; if both are in the water, it is a prāyaścittika. The Mahīśāsaka Vinaya states that throwing snowballs or playing with dew on grass tips is a duṣkṛta. The Mātṛkā states that even dripping water onto the ground is also a duṣkṛta. The Mahāmegha Sūtra explains that the king, seeing them sporting, spoke a verse; the queen said: "I have heard that the bhikṣus / have long since left dust and fetters. / Playing and doting in mud and water, / how can they be teachers of men?" The bhikṣus, having finished their play, entered samādhi and knew their thoughts; thereupon, through spiritual power, they flew away in a line like wild geese. The queen, seeing this, spoke a verse to the king: "The bhikṣus of our household / have long since left dust and fetters. / Even the śrāmaṇeras are like this, / how much more so the Master Śākya!" The king on this account gave rise to faith. The Vinaya states: as for non-offense, if walking on a road and crossing water; or pulling bamboo or timber rafts in the water, going up or down with the current; or if, having lost an article, one submerges to the bottom of the water, diving under here and surfacing there; or crossing from this bank to that bank; or learning to know how to swim and raising one's arms in the water, splashing water—in all such cases there is no offense.