四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.56

3.56

“If a bhikṣu makes an arrangement with a bhikṣuṇī to travel along the same road, from one village [to another], except at a different time: prāyaścittika. ‘At a different time’ means traveling with a caravan of merchants, or when there is doubt, fear, and dread—this is called a different time.” This is the full Prātimokṣa text. This text contains five clauses: first, the transgressor; second, making an arrangement; third, traveling together; fourth, the excepted circumstances; fifth, the determination of the offense. The first two clauses are self-evident. “Making an arrangement” means agreeing to go together to a certain place. As for the third, “traveling along the same road to a village”: “the same road” refers to a place of travel demarcated between villages. As for the fourth, “except at a different time”: this provides an exception for circumstances that are not offenses. As for the fifth, “prāyaścittika”: this is the clause determining the offense upon crossing a boundary. The Vinaya states that according to the boundaries of the villages, for however many boundaries there are, he incurs a prāyaścittika for each. “Multiple boundaries” refers to multiple village boundaries; when traveling through uninhabited wilderness, it is a prāyaścittika for up to ten li. If it is less than one village or less than ten li, he incurs a duṣkṛta. If he travels across multiple villages within the same boundary, it is also a duṣkṛta. If by expedience an arrangement is made but he does not travel, it is also a duṣkṛta. The bhikṣuṇī also incurs a duṣkṛta; a bhikṣuṇī is a weak woman who must rely on a man as a companion and protector, so her subjective fault is slight. The Mahīśāsaka Vinaya states that from this settlement to that settlement, and in places without settlements for half a yojana, one incurs a prāyaścittika. The Vinaya states that for non-offenses: if they did not make an arrangement; first, traveling with a large caravan of merchants; second, in a place of suspicion, suspecting there are thieves; third, in a place of terror, fearing there are thieves; fourth, if going there brings safety; fifth, if incapacitated by physical force, or in perils to life or celibacy—all are permitted and do not constitute an offense. The Sarvāstivāda Vinaya permits it for guiding a bhikṣuṇī through dangerous paths.