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Bu Pc 27

27. The training rule on arrangements

27. Saṁvidhānasikkhāpada

from: The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on the instruction

27. The training rule on arrangements

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the monks from the group of six traveled by arrangement with nuns. People complained and criticized them, “Just as we walk about with our wives, so these Sakyan monastics walk about by arrangement with nuns.”

The monks heard the complaints of those people, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, “How can the monks from the group of six travel by arrangement with the nuns?” … “Is it true, monks, that you do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how can you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk travels by arrangement with a nun, even just to the next inhabited area, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a number of monks and nuns were traveling from Sāketa to Sāvatthī. The nuns said to the monks, “Let’s go together.”

“Sisters, it’s not allowable for us to travel by arrangement with nuns. Either you go first, or we will.”

“You have the higher status, venerables. Please go first.”

But because the nuns went behind, they were robbed and raped by bandits. When they arrived at Sāvatthī, they told the nuns there what had happened. The nuns then told the monks, who in turn told the Buddha.

Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow you to travel by arrangement with a nun if it’s a risky and dangerous road that should be traveled with a group.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling

‘If a monk travels by arrangement with a nun, even just to the next inhabited area, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. This is the appropriate occasion: the road is considered risky and dangerous and should be traveled with a group.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case. A nun: she has been given the full ordination by both Sanghas. With: together. By arrangement: if he makes an arrangement like this: he says, “Let’s go, Sister,” and she replies, “Yes, let’s go, venerable;” or she says, “Let’s go, venerable,” and he replies, “Yes, let’s go, Sister;” or he says, “Let’s go today,” “Let’s go tomorrow,” “Let’s go the day after tomorrow,” then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Even just to the next inhabited area: when the inhabited areas are a chicken’s flight apart, then for every next inhabited area he commits an offense entailing confession. When it is an uninhabited area, a wilderness, then for every six kilometers he commits an offense entailing confession. Except on an appropriate occasion: unless it is an appropriate occasion. The road should be traveled with a group: it is not possible to travel without a group. Risky: a place has been seen along that road where criminals are camping, eating, standing, sitting, or lying down. Dangerous: criminals have been seen along that road, injuring, robbing, or beating people. If they go together thinking it is dangerous, but then see that it is not, the nuns are to be dismissed, “Go, Sisters.”

Permutations

If there is an arrangement, and he perceives that there is, and he travels with a nun, even just to the next inhabited area, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. If there is an arrangement, but he is unsure of it, and he travels with a nun, even just to the next inhabited area, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. If there is an arrangement, but he does not perceive that there is, and he travels with a nun, even just to the next inhabited area, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If the monk makes an arrangement, but the nun does not express her agreement, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If there is no arrangement, but he perceives that there is, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If there is no arrangement, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If there is no arrangement, and he does not perceive that there is, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if it is an appropriate occasion; if he goes without an arrangement; if the nun has made an arrangement, but he has not expressed his agreement; if they go, but not according to the arrangement; if there is an emergency; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The training rule on arrangements, the seventh, is finished.

Translation: English (Bhikkhu Brahmali). Source: SuttaCentral / Bilara (public domain, CC0).

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