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Bu Ss 5

5. The training rule on matchmaking

5. Sañcarittasikkhāpada

from: The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing suspension

5. The training rule on matchmaking

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, Venerable Udāyī was associating with and visiting a number of families in Sāvatthī.

When Udāyī saw a young man without a wife and a young woman without a husband, he would praise the young woman to the parents of the young man, “The young woman of such-and-such a family is beautiful, intelligent, skilled, and diligent. She’s suitable for your son.” They would reply, “They don’t know who we are, venerable. If you could persuade them to give the girl, we would take her for our son.”

And he praised the young man to the parents of the young woman, “The young man of such-and-such a family is handsome, intelligent, skilled, and diligent. He’s suitable for your daughter.” They would reply, “They don’t know who we are, venerable, and we would be ashamed to speak to them for the sake of the girl. But if you could persuade them to ask us, we would give our girl to the young man.” In this way he arranged for the taking of a bride, for the giving of a bride, and for marriage.

At that time there was a former courtesan who had a beautiful daughter. On one occasion some lay followers of the Ājīvaka religion came from another village and said to that courtesan, “Ma’am, please give your girl to our boy.”

“I don’t know who you are, sirs, and I won’t give my only daughter to be taken to another village.”

People asked those Ājīvaka lay followers why they had come. They replied, “We came to ask that courtesan to give her daughter to our son, but she refused.”

“But why did you ask the courtesan? You should speak to Venerable Udāyī. He’ll persuade her.”

They then went to Udāyī and said, “Venerable, we’ve asked that courtesan here to give her daughter to our son, but she refused. Would you please persuade her to give her daughter?”

Udāyī agreed. Soon afterwards he went to that courtesan and said, “Why didn’t you give them your daughter?”

“I don’t know who they are, sir, and I won’t give my only daughter to be taken to another village.”

“Please give her to them. I know them.”

“If you know them, I’ll give her away.”

She then gave her daughter to those Ājīvaka followers, and they took her away. For a month they treated her like a daughter-in-law, but then like a slave.

The girl sent a message to her mother, saying, “Mom, I’m unhappy and miserable. For a month they treated me like a daughter-in-law, but then like a slave. Come, mom, and take me home.”

Soon afterwards the courtesan went to those Ājīvakas and said, “Please don’t treat my girl like a slave; treat her properly!”

They replied, “We deal with the monastic, not with you. Go away! We don’t want anything to do with you.” Being dismissed, she returned to Sāvatthī.

A second time the girl sent the same message to her mother. That courtesan then went to Udāyī and said, “Venerable, my girl is unhappy and miserable. They treated her like a daughter-in-law for a month, but then like a slave. Please tell them to treat her properly.”

Udāyī went to the Ājīvakas and said, “Please don’t treat this girl like a slave; treat her properly.”

They replied, “We deal with the courtesan, not with you. A monastic shouldn’t get involved. You should behave like a proper monastic. So go away! We don’t want anything to do with you.” Being dismissed, he returned to Sāvatthī.

A third time that girl sent the same message to her mother, and a second time the courtesan went to Udāyī and told him the same thing.

He replied, “When I first went, they just dismissed me. Go yourself; I’m not going.”

Then that courtesan complained and criticized him, “May Venerable Udāyī be miserable and unhappy, just as my girl is miserable and unhappy because of her nasty mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband.”

The girl, too, complained and criticized him in the same way,

as did other women who were unhappy with their mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, and husbands.

But those women who were happy with their in-laws wished him well, saying, “May Venerable Udāyī be happy and well, just as we are happy and well because of our good mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, and husbands.”

The monks heard that some women were criticizing him whereas others were wishing him well. And the monks of few desires complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Udāyī act as a matchmaker?”

They told the Buddha. The Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned Udāyī: “Is it true, Udāyī, that you do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked him … “Foolish man, 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 acts as a matchmaker, conveying a man’s intention to a woman or a woman’s intention to a man, for marriage or for an affair, he commits an offense entailing suspension.’”

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

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a number of scoundrels who were enjoying themselves in a park sent a messenger to a sex worker, saying, “Please come, let’s enjoy ourselves in the park.”

She replied, “Sirs, I don’t know who you are. I’m wealthy. I don’t want to go outside the city.”

The messenger returned the message. A certain man then said to those men, “Why did you ask the sex worker? You should speak to Venerable Udāyī. He’ll persuade her.”

But a certain Buddhist lay follower said, “No way. That’s not allowable for the Sakyan monastics. He won’t do it.” And they made a bet on whether he would.

Those scoundrels then went to Udāyī and said, “Venerable, while we were enjoying ourselves in the park, we sent a message to such-and-such a sex worker, asking her to come, but she refused. Would you please persuade her?”

Udāyī agreed. He then went to that sex worker and said, “Why don’t you go to those men?”

She told him why.

“Please go. I know them.”

“If you know them, sir, I’ll go.” And those men took her to the park.

Then that lay follower complained and criticized him, “How could Venerable Udāyī act as a matchmaker for a brief affair?”

The monks heard it, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized him, “How could Venerable Udāyī act as a matchmaker for a brief affair?”

They rebuked Udāyī in many ways and then told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned Udāyī: “Is it true, Udāyī, that you did this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

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

Final ruling

‘If a monk acts as a matchmaker, conveying a man’s intention to a woman or a woman’s intention to a man, for marriage or for an affair, even if just a brief one, he commits an offense entailing suspension.’”

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. Acts as a matchmaker, conveying: sent by a woman he goes to a man, or sent by a man he goes to a woman. A man’s intention to a woman: he informs a woman of a man’s intention. A woman’s intention to a man: he informs a man of a woman’s intention. For marriage: “You should be his wife.” For an affair: “You should be his mistress.” Even if just a brief one: “You will have a short relationship.” He commits an offense entailing suspension: … Therefore, too, it is called “an offense entailing suspension”.

Permutations

Permutations part 1

Summary

There are ten kinds of women: the one protected by her mother, the one protected by her father, the one protected by her parents, the one protected by her brother, the one protected by her sister, the one protected by her relatives, the one protected by her family, the one protected by her religion, the one otherwise protected, the one protected by the threat of punishment.

There are ten kinds of wives: the bought wife, the wife by choice, the wife through property, the wife through clothes, the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual, the wife through removing the head pad, the slave wife, the servant wife, the captured wife, the momentary wife.

Definitions

The one protected by her mother: her mother protects, guards, wields authority, controls. The one protected by her father: her father protects, guards, wields authority, controls. The one protected by her parents: her parents protect, guard, wield authority, control. The one protected by her brother: her brother protects, guards, wields authority, controls. The one protected by her sister: her sister protects, guards, wields authority, controls. The one protected by her relatives: her relatives protect, guard, wield authority, control. The one protected by her family: her family protects, guards, wields authority, controls. The one protected by her religion: her fellow believers protect, guard, wield authority, control. The one otherwise protected: even in the womb someone takes possession of her, thinking, “She is mine,” and so too for one engaged to be married. The one protected by the threat of punishment: those who punish will punish anyone going to her with a fixed punishment. The bought wife: after buying her with money, they live together. The wife by choice: being dear to each other, they live together. The wife through property: after giving property, they live together. The wife through clothes: after giving clothes, they live together. The wife through the bowl-of-water ritual: after touching a bowl of water, they live together. The wife through removing the head pad: after removing the head pad, they live together. The slave wife: she is a slave and a wife. The servant wife: she is a servant and a wife. The captured wife: one brought back as a captive is what is meant. The momentary wife: a wife for one occasion is what is meant.

Exposition

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and a single bought wife

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and say … so-and-so protected by her parents and say … so-and-so protected by her brother and say … so-and-so protected by her sister and say … so-and-so protected by her relatives and say … so-and-so protected by her family and say … so-and-so protected by her religion and say … so-and-so otherwise protected and say … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and two bought wives

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

… A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her father … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so otherwise protected and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and three to nine bought wives

The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and ten bought wives

This is the section based on ten items:

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and so-and-so protected by her brother and so-and-so protected by her sister and so-and-so protected by her relatives and so-and-so protected by her family and so-and-so protected by her religion and so-and-so otherwise protected and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The permutation series on bought wives is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and other kinds of wives

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and a single momentary wife

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and say … so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and two momentary wives

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her father … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so otherwise protected and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and three to nine momentary wives

The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and ten momentary wives

This is the section based on ten items:

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and so-and-so protected by her brother and so-and-so protected by her sister and so-and-so protected by her relatives and so-and-so protected by her family and so-and-so protected by her religion and so-and-so otherwise protected and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The permutation series on momentary wives is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: a single reason

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: combinations of two reasons

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice and the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the momentary wife and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the captured wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: combinations of three to nine reasons

The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: ten reasons

This is the section based on ten items:

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice and the wife through property and the wife through clothes and the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and the wife through removing the head pad and the slave wife and the servant wife and the captured wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The permutation series on the one guarded by her mother is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected in various ways: a single reason

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father … so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: a single reason

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: combinations of two reasons

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife through property of so-and-so … the bought wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice and the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wife and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the captured wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: combinations of three to nine reasons

The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: ten reasons

This is the section based on ten items:

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice and the wife through property and the wife through clothes and the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and the wife through removing the head pad and the slave wife and the servant wife and the captured wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The permutation series for the one protected by the threat of punishment is finished.

Incremental increase in both wives and reasons

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and say, ‘Please be the bought wives and the wives by choice of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and say, ‘Please be the bought wives and the wives by choice and the wives through property of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

In this way the increase of both items is to be done.

A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and so-and-so protected by her brother and so-and-so protected by her sister and so-and-so protected by her relatives and so-and-so protected by her family and so-and-so protected by her religion and so-and-so otherwise protected and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives and the wives by choice and the wives through property and the wives through clothes and the wives through the bowl-of-water ritual and the wives through removing the head pad and the slave wives and the servant wives and the captured wives and the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The increase of both items is finished.

Relationships arranged for a man

A man’s mother sends a monk … A man’s father sends a monk … A man’s parents send a monk … A man’s brother sends a monk … A man’s sister sends a monk … A man’s relatives send a monk … A man’s family sends a monk … A man’s fellow believers send a monk …

To be expanded as for the successive series on a man.

The increase of both items is to be expanded as before.

Relationships arranged by the mother: a single reason

The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice.’” … your wife through property.’” … your wife through clothes.’” … your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.’” … your wife through removing the head pad.’” … your slave wife.’” … your servant wife.’” … your captured wife.’” … your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

Relationships arranged by the mother: combinations of two reasons

The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice.’” … your bought wife and your wife through property.’” … your bought wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice and your wife through property.’” … your wife by choice and your momentary wife.’” … your wife by choice and your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your momentary wife and your bought wife.’” … your momentary wife and your wife by choice.’” … your momentary wife and your captured wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

Relationships arranged by the mother: combinations of three to nine reasons

The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

Relationships arranged by the mother: ten reasons

This is the section based on ten items:

The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice and your wife through property and your wife through clothes and your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and your wife through removing the head pad and your slave wife and your servant wife and your captured wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The permutation series on the mother is finished.

Relationships arranged by various people: a single reason

The father of one protected by her father sends a monk … The parents of one protected by her parents send a monk … The brother of one protected by her brother sends a monk … The sister of one protected by her sister sends a monk … The relatives of one protected by her relatives send a monk … The family of one protected by her family sends a monk … The fellow believers of one protected by her religion send a monk … The master of one otherwise protected sends a monk … The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: a single reason

The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice.’” … your wife through property.’” … your wife through clothes.’” … your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.’” … your wife through removing the head pad.’” … your slave wife.’” … your servant wife.’” … your captured wife.’” … your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: two reasons

The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice.’” … your bought wife and your wife through property.’” … your bought wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice and your wife through property.’” … your wife by choice and your momentary wife.’” … your wife by choice and your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your momentary wife and your bought wife.’” … who can be your momentary wife and your wife by choice.’” … who can be your momentary wife and your captured wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: three to nine reasons

The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: ten reasons

This is the section based on ten items:

The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice and your wife through property and your wife through clothes and your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and your wife through removing the head pad and your slave wife and your servant wife and your captured wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The permutation series on the one who punishes is finished.

The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: a single reason

The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice.” … his wife through property.” … his wife through clothes.” … his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.” … his wife through removing the head pad.” … his slave wife.” … his servant wife.” … his captured wife.” … his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: two reasons

The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife through property.” … his bought wife and his wife through clothes.” … his bought wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice and his wife through property.” … his wife by choice and his momentary wife.” … his wife by choice and his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his momentary wife and his bought wife.” … his momentary wife and his wife by choice.” … his momentary wife and his captured wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: three to nine reasons

The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: ten reasons

This is the section based on ten items:

The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice and his wife through property and his wife through clothes and his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and his wife through removing the head pad and his slave wife and his servant wife and his captured wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The further permutation series on the one guarded by her mother is finished.

The ones protected by various people taking the initiative: a single reason

The one protected by her father sends a monk … The one protected by her parents sends a monk … The one protected by her brother sends a monk … The one protected by her sister sends a monk … The one protected by her relatives sends a monk … The one protected by her family sends a monk … The one protected by her religion sends a monk … The one otherwise protected sends a monk … The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: a single reason

The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice.” … his wife through property.” … his wife through clothes.” … his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.” … his wife through removing the head pad.” … his slave wife.” … his servant wife.” … his captured wife.” … his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The setting out of the steps is finished.

The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: two reasons

The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice.” … his bought wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The unconnected permutation series is finished.

The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice and his wife through property.” … his wife by choice and his momentary wife.” … his wife by choice and his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his momentary wife and his bought wife.” … his momentary wife and his wife by choice.” … his momentary wife and his captured wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The section based on one item is finished.

The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: three to nine reasons

The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: ten reasons

This is the section based on ten items:

The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice and his wife through property and his wife through clothes and his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and his wife through removing the head pad and his slave wife and his servant wife and his captured wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

The further permutation series on the one protected by the threat of punishment is finished.

The whole successive permutation series is finished.

Permutations part 2

If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension. If he accepts the mission, and finds out the response, but does not report back, he commits a serious offense. If he accepts the mission, but does not find out the response, yet reports back, he commits a serious offense. If he accepts the mission, but neither finds out the response, nor reports back, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he does not accept the mission, yet finds out the response and reports back, he commits a serious offense. If he does not accept the mission, yet finds out the response, but does not report back, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he neither accepts the mission, nor finds out the response, yet reports back, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he does not accept the mission, nor finds out the response, nor reports back, there is no offense.

A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, all find out the response, and all report back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, all find out the response, but only one reports back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, but only one finds out the response, yet all report back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, but only one finds out the response, and only one reports back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, but gets a pupil to report back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, but gets a pupil to find out the response, and then reports back himself, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, but gets a pupil to find out the response, and the pupil then reports back on his own initiative, they both commit a serious offense.

Permutations part 3

If he fulfills the agreement when he goes, but not when he returns, he commits a serious offense.

If he does not fulfill the agreement when he goes, but he does when he returns, he commits a serious offense.

If he fulfills the agreement both when he goes and when he returns, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

If he neither fulfills the agreement when he goes nor when he returns, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if he goes because of business for the Sangha, for a shrine, or for one who is sick; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

Summary verses of case studies

“Asleep, and dead, gone out,
Not a woman, a woman who lacks sexual organs;
He reconciled them after quarreling,
And he was a matchmaker for <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍakas</i>.”

Case studies

At one time a man told a monk, “Sir, please find out about such-and-such a woman.” When the monk got there, he asked some people, “Where’s so-and-so?”

“She’s asleep, venerable.”

He became anxious, thinking, “The Buddha has laid down a training rule. Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing suspension?” He told the Buddha, who said, “There’s no offense entailing suspension, but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a man told a monk, “Sir, please find out about such-and-such a woman.” When the monk got there, he asked some people, “Where’s so-and-so?”

“She’s dead, venerable.” … “She’s gone out, venerable.” … “That’s not a woman, venerable.” … “That’s a woman who lacks sexual organs, venerable.”

He became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing suspension, but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

At one time a certain woman quarreled with her husband and went to her mother’s house. A monk who associated with that family reconciled them. He became anxious … “Were they divorced, monk?”

“No, sir.”

“There’s no offense if they’re not divorced.”

At one time a monk acted as a matchmaker for <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍakas</i>. He became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing suspension, but there’s a serious offense.”

The training rule on matchmaking, the fifth, is finished.

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

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