四分戒本疏卷第一．第二．第三 3.95

3.95

Precept 47: Excessively Accepting an Invitation for Four Months of Medicines. The intention of the institution: when a faithful layman prepares fine medicines and invites the monastic Saṃgha to make offerings with a devout heart, the donor has his limits. One ought to protect him and accept in accord with what is offered. If one now accepts his medicines in excess, fostering greed and vexing others, ruining wholesome qualities and increasing unwholesomeness, the harm incurred is not light; therefore the Sage instituted this. The six specific conditions are fully met: first, it is an invitation of medicines; second, the intention of the donor is limited; third, one knows the limit of the term; fourth, one accepts beyond the limit; fifth, there are no extenuating circumstances; sixth, an offense is committed with each swallow consumed. The text of the precept is clearly set forth below. This precept was instituted because the group of six bhikṣus committed a fault.