四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.43

3.43

Precept 21: Presumptuously Instructing Nuns / Regarding the intention behind establishing [this precept], there are three points. First, the intention that nuns require instruction: nuns are frail women who lack the ability to wander abroad to consult and receive teachings they have not heard, and are confused about doctrine and practice. Second, teaching and proclaiming, like traveling at night, therefore requires instruction to detail the deportment of practice. Senior monks are men whose bodies face no obstruction; they consult and receive teachings everywhere, so they are not separately instructed. Second, the intention behind requiring deputation: the task of instructing is difficult and demands complete virtuous conduct. Therefore, the saṅgha is entrusted to evaluate and select, dispatching those of virtuous conduct and compassionate heart to admonish and guide, opening and illuminating their minds so as to engender understanding and practice, ultimately ascending to the benefit of the path; hence they must be deputed. Third, the intention behind penalizing the offense: now, not being deputed by the saṅgha, one presumptuously goes to instruct, disordering the practice of moral education, deviating from proper methods and losing the transformative power of moral influence, slighting the Dharma and exalting oneself; the harm is not light, hence one incurs a prāyaścittika offense. / Next, explaining the title: acting entirely on one's own initiative without receiving the command of the saṅgha is called "presumptuously." Proclaiming virtuous conduct and opening the minds of the unpracticed is called "instruction." Hence it is said: "presumptuously instructing nuns." / Further, clarifying the constituent conditions: the general conditions are as above. There are five specific conditions: first, having at least a minimum of virtuous conduct so as to be eligible; one completely devoid of virtue can never have the duty of instructing, and reasonably should not be deputed, so there is no offense of presumptuously instructing nuns. "A minimum" means at least five [qualities], as stated in the [chapter on] "Sets of Five": one with five dharmas may admonish nuns, referring to the first, second, eighth, ninth, and tenth of the ten virtues. Although endowed with the superior virtues above, if the saṅgha deputes him, originally there is no fault; hence second, the saṅgha has not deputed him. Although not deputed, if one does not perform the saṅgha's communal act—even if one admonishes while staying separated—there is also no offense; hence third, the gathering of the assembly of nuns. If, when the assembly is gathered, one speaks on the eight gurudharmas, the arising of fault is slight and one incurs only a minor offense; hence fourth, preaching the Dharma other than the eight gurudharmas. Fifth, as soon as the words of whatever Dharma is preached are completed, one commits the offense. Below, the text of the precept is properly explained. This precept arose because nun Mahāprajāpatī came to request instruction. The Buddha had the saṅgha depute [someone] to go; Panthaka went there to preach the Dharma. The group of six went next to preach worldly talk to them. Mahāprajāpatī reported this to the Buddha; the Buddha ordered that [monks] be deputed by karmavācanā, and thereupon established the precept.