律戒本疏 1.74

1.74

[Rule] Twenty-one: Exhorting and instructing nuns without saṃgha appointment. The World-Honoured One was extremely weary and no longer taught [the nuns]; he ordered the saṃgha to instruct them in turn. Toward the end [of the sequence], the ṣaḍvargika monks were also in turn to instruct them; they set aside the instructional matter and spoke of what is improper. The assembly of nuns informed the saṃgha, and the saṃgha informed the Buddha. For this reason, the precept was formulated: If one instructs without an appointment by formal saṃgha act (karman), then for one monk instructing one nun at one time, there is one pāyattika; for many nuns, there are many pāyattikas. For many monks instructing one nun or many nuns at one time, it is also like this. Later, at one time, the ṣaḍvargika monks went outside the boundary, appointed each other in turn, and having appointed each other, returned within the boundary. When the assembly of nuns arrived, they claimed the saṃgha had appointed them to instruct, yet they again set aside the instructional matter and did evil as before. [The Buddha] further formulated the precept again: only when endowed with five virtues is one permitted to be appointed by formal saṃgha act to instruct the assembly of nuns. What are the five? First, having twenty rains-retreats, or more than twenty. Second, fully maintaining the precepts and understanding the deportment. Third, being able to recite, understand, and penetrate the Vinaya of both divisions. Fourth, speaking the Dharma with right speech, pure in eloquence. Fifth, not violating the thirteen offenses and not defiling the three assemblies. The "three assemblies" are probationers (śikṣamāṇās), novice monks (śrāmaṇeras), and novice nuns (śrāmaṇerīs). Defiling a monastic is an extremely grave offense; eunuchs and hermaphrodites all result from this. Destroying a seven-jeweled stūpa is still light, but destroying another's body of precepts is a sin far greater than this. Therefore, such a person is not fit to instruct. Furthermore, the assembly of nuns would not revere or have faith in his mind, and one also fears that without shame or remorse, improper things would arise again; even if he has repented and eradicated it, he still should not [instruct]. If deficient in even one matter among the five virtues, appointing him is not an [authoritative] appointment; if he instructs, he commits a pāyattika. When endowed with the five dharmas, if he has been selected but not yet appointed by formal saṃgha act within the saṃgha, and proceeds to instruct, he commits a pāyattika. If appointed by formal saṃgha act but not yet directed to instruct, if he instructs, he commits a duṣkṛta. If directed, but not yet directed within the saṃgha, he also commits a duṣkṛta. If directed within the saṃgha, but before asking the assembly of nuns, "Are you all assembled?" he immediately instructs, he commits a pāyattika. If having asked, but before speaking the eight conditions of respect (garudharmas), he immediately tells his companion monk to speak them, he also commits a duṣkṛta. If having spoken the eight conditions of respect, he does not tell [the other] to speak, he also commits a duṣkṛta.