四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.50

3.50

“If a bhikṣu gives a robe to an unrelated bhikṣuṇī, except by barter: prāyaścittika.” This full Prātimokṣa text contains five clauses: first, the transgressor; second, the unrelated bhikṣuṇī; third, the robe given; fourth, the exception for barter; fifth, the determination of the offense. The first two are self-evident. As for the third, “robe”: there are ten kinds as stated above. According to the Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā, giving a robe of permissible measure incurs a prāyaścittika, while one not of permissible measure incurs a duṣkṛta. Giving a bowl also incurs a prāyaścittika; giving an improper bowl, a gaṇḍī, etc., incurs a duṣkṛta. As for the fourth, “barter”: the meaning is as above; bartering for as little as one catty of medicinal herbs is permissible. As for the fifth, “prāyaścittika”: this determines the offense. The Vinaya states that if two bhikṣus together give a robe to one bhikṣuṇī, or give one robe to two bhikṣuṇīs, both incur a prāyaścittika. The Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā says it is a duṣkṛta. This Vinaya states only that giving to a bhikṣuṇī incurs a prāyaścittika, whereas giving to the lower assemblies incurs a duṣkṛta. If one relies on the Sarvāstivāda-vinaya-vibhāṣā, giving to any of the three assemblies of female renunciants incurs a prāyaścittika; the underlying principle should also be like this. This is not like washing robes, which was promulgated based on the extent of abandoning one’s practice, and furthermore there is the distinction of rarity versus frequency. Furthermore, the Vinaya states that if a bhikṣuṇī gives [a robe] to a fully ordained monk, it is a duṣkṛta. If evaluated by rarity and frequency, when a fully ordained monk gives it rarely, he should commit a lighter offense; when a bhikṣuṇī gives it, based on the frequency, the bhikṣuṇī is of the lower assembly, and making an offering to a superior raises little cause for public criticism, which is why it is lighter. As for non-offenses: the Mahīśāsaka Vinaya states that if it is for managing affairs of merit, or for expounding the Dharma, or for one who recites much of the sūtras and precepts, giving a robe or making a robe does not constitute an offense. In this Vinaya, giving a robe to a related bhikṣuṇī, mutually bartering, or giving it to a stūpa or to the Saṅgha incurs no offense.