Root-Basic Law: Sarvastivada Vinaya - Schism in the Sangha, Chapter 1

Translation by Tripitaka Master Yijing of the Tang Dynasty, Under Imperial Commission

At that time, the Blessed One was staying in the Nyagrodha Grove near Kapilavastu, together with a large community of monks. In this city, all the Shakya clansmen gathered together and said to one another, "If someone comes and asks us, 'Among the Shakya clan, who was the first? From whom did they originate? What is their noble lineage and succession?' How should we answer? Since we do not know such details, it would be best to go to the World-Honored One and ask him about this matter. Whatever the Buddha teaches, we will uphold." Having discussed this, the Shakya clansmen went to where the Buddha was. They bowed their heads at his feet, circumambulated him three times, and sat down to one side. With palms together, they presented their concerns to the Buddha, saying, "World-Honored One! If someone asks us, 'Where did the Shakya clan come from? Who was the first? Who are the most noble? What is their lineage?' How should we answer? It is for this reason that we have come to ask. We only beg that the World-Honored One, out of compassion, explain this to us. Whatever the Buddha teaches, we will uphold."

Thus spoke the World-Honored One. After hearing these words, he fell silent in reflection. He thought, "If I myself proclaim that the Shakya clan holds a noble position, other sects might slander me, saying, 'The ascetic Gautama brags about the status of his Shakya lineage.'" Then another thought arose: "Among my disciples, who would be capable of discussing this matter regarding the Shakya clan?" Recognizing that the venerable Mahamaudgalyayana was well-suited to recount this, he said to him: "I am now entering a state of meditative absorption. You shall speak of the causes and conditions of the Shakya lineage." Mahamaudgalyayana silently accepted the Buddha’s instruction.

Then the World-Honored One took his monastic robe, folded it into four layers as a pillow, and lay down on his right side, resting one foot upon the other. He established the perception of luminosity and resolved to remain mindful and alert upon waking. This was his intention and practice.

At that time, the venerable Mahamaudgalyayana thought to himself: "I should enter such a state of concentration to contemplate and understand the Shakya clan." So he ascended to the high seat before the assembly, sat cross-legged, and addressed the Shakyas: "Now listen carefully! When this world first formed, the entire earth was one vast ocean. Stirred and driven by the wind, it coalesced into a single mass, like boiling milk. Once it had cooled, a solid substance formed. The same happened atop that ocean, where a layer of earth appeared, possessing color, aroma, and taste in full measure.

"When this world was formed, a kind of being whose merit and lifespan had both been exhausted passed away from the Radiant Light Heaven and was reborn here. They had perfect faculties, bodies that shone with radiance, moving through the sky at will, subsisting on joy and delight, living long lives. At that time, this world had no sun, moon, stars, day, night, or seasons. Nor could anyone distinguish male from female, noble from humble. They simply called to one another: 'Sattva! Sattva!' (Being! Being!)

"Then, among the crowd, there was a being whose nature was particularly indulgent. Suddenly, he tasted that earthly substance with the tip of his finger. As he tasted it, attachment arose in his mind. Because of that attachment, he began to subsist on solid food. That is when the first intake of solid food began. The other beings, seeing him eat, imitated him. Once they had eaten this substance, their bodies gradually became heavy and firm. Their radiance dimmed, and all fell into darkness.

"Because they did not regulate their intake of this food, their appearance deteriorated. Due to this deterioration, they said to one another: 'My form is radiant and lovely, but yours has diminished.' Those who were radiant, because of their pride in their appearance, became arrogant and generated unwholesome roots. Because of this unwholesomeness, the earthly substance vanished. After its disappearance, these beings gathered together, lamenting and grieving, crying out: 'What a wondrous flavor! What a wondrous flavor!'

"Nowadays, people who have once tasted delicious food later constantly recall that former flavor and say: 'What a wondrous flavor! What a wondrous flavor!' Yet they do not understand the meaning of these words—whether they express good or bad—or the reason the earthly substance disappeared. Due to the karma of these beings, a kind of earth-cake appeared, possessing color, aroma, and taste in full measure, like a golden flower or freshly ripened honey. They ate this earth-cake and lived long lives.

"If someone ate less, their body retained its radiance, which led to mutual contempt and arrogance, as detailed earlier. Eventually, even the earth-cake disappeared. Then, all the beings gathered together, looking at one another in distress and lamenting: 'Painful! Painful! In the past, we have encountered such misfortunes.' This was the same when the earth-cake vanished. But they did not understand the meaning of the words they uttered."

You should know this: After the earth-crust disappeared, due to the power of their merit, beings encountered forest vines with beautiful colors, fragrance, and taste—like kale flowers or freshly ripened honey. They ate these vines and lived long lives. Those who ate less developed a radiant glow, which led to arrogance and conflict between one another, just as previously described. In time, the forest vines disappeared.

Then all the beings gathered together, looking at each other in sorrow, saying, "Stay away from me! Stay away from me!" It was like people filled with extreme anger refusing to let others come near, as previously described.

After the vines vanished, a fine fragrant rice appeared, growing spontaneously without cultivation, free from husks and impurities. Each grain was about four finger-widths long. Harvested in the morning, the rice would regrow by evening; harvested in the evening, it would be ripe again by morning. No matter how much was taken, it never diminished. They ate this rice and lived long lives.

Because they consumed solid food, waste accumulated in their bodies. To eliminate it, they developed two bodily passages. This led to the emergence of male and female organs, and with them, mutual attraction. Becoming attached, they drew close to one another and engaged in improper acts.

When other beings saw this, they threw dirt, rubbish, and stones at them, saying, "You are disgusting beings! How dare you commit such impurity! Shame on you for defiling others!" They would not let them stay together for even one night up to seven nights, banishing them from the community.

It is just like today, when at the start of a marriage, people throw flowers and fragrant items, wishing the couple "Eternal happiness." You should understand: what was once considered wrong is now accepted as right; what was once against the rules is now the standard; what was once despised is now seen as beautiful.

Because those who were banished gathered together, those inclined to do wrong built shelters to conceal their bodies and continued their improper acts. This was the very beginning of establishing homes and families.

"Listen, people! In the past, because of greed and desire, people built houses. They did things and didn't do things according to the natural way—they turned what was not the true way into their way. Back then, living beings would take just enough rice each day, in the morning and evening, to satisfy their hunger, leaving nothing leftover. But then one lazy person, taking rice in the morning, also grabbed the evening portion. When evening came and a companion called him to go get rice, he said, 'You go ahead. I already got both my morning and evening rations. No need for me to bother.' Hearing this, the companion thought, 'That's a great idea! I'll take enough for two days too.' Then another companion heard that and said, 'I'll take rice for three days.' And yet another said, 'I'll take rice for seven days.' And so he did. When someone else called him to go get rice, he replied, 'I already have seven days' worth—no need to go.' That person, delighted, exclaimed, 'What a good idea! I'll go get enough for half a month, or even a whole month!' And so, the quantities kept increasing. Because of this growing greed, chaff and impurities began to appear in the rice.

At first, the rice was harvested in the morning and would grow back by evening; harvested in the evening and would grow back by morning. The grains were still fine. But with such greed, once harvested, it didn't grow back, or if it did, it was smaller and inferior. People then scrambled to gather whatever remained, and what was left gradually became worse and worse.

The living beings gathered together, lamenting to each other: 'In the beginning, our bodies were radiant and light, we could fly freely, we were beautiful and full of joy. After we started eating the earth's flavors, we still had a pleasant aroma. But eating too much made our bodies heavy, our light dimmed, and our supernatural powers vanished. Then various misfortunes arose, and we wept, giving birth to the sun, moon, and stars—as previously described. Those who ate more grew darker, while those who ate less remained radiant. Thus, two kinds of appearances emerged. Because of these differences, people began to look down on each other, saying, "I am beautiful; you are ugly." This mutual contempt led to unwholesome thoughts. At that point, the earth's flavors completely disappeared, and people grieved. Then a ground-cake appeared, full of color, aroma, and taste. We ate it and lived long. Those who ate more grew darker; those who ate less remained radiant. So again, two types—good and bad—formed, and mutual contempt continued. This contempt gave rise to unwholesome thoughts, and the ground-cake disappeared. We felt sorrow and distress.

For this reason, a forest vine emerged, also full of color, aroma, and taste. We ate it and lived long, remaining in the world. Those who ate more grew darker; those who ate less remained radiant. When the forest vine disappeared, a kind of rice appeared, growing without being planted, free of chaff and impurities, the size of four fingers, full of fragrance and taste. We ate it, and our bodies were well-nourished. Those who ate this rice lived long, remaining in the world. But because of greed and hoarding, the rice became coarse, full of chaff and impurities. The weakened rice no longer grew after harvesting, or only leftovers remained.'

Seeing this, people told each other: 'We need to divide the land.' So they measured and marked boundaries: 'This is your land; this is mine.' That's how farmland came to be cultivated with fields and borders established.

Another being, though possessing their own fields, secretly stole grain from another's field. A witness saw this and said, "Why are you taking other people's rice? This is one theft—don't do it again." But the thief's intention to steal did not cease, and they stole again on the second and third days. People saw this and repeated, "You've stolen three times now." They kept urging without stopping, so some people seized the thief and brought them before the assembly, reporting everything. The assembly said, "You have your own fields—why did you steal another's grain three times?" After saying this, they released the thief. The rice thief said to the assembly, "These people, for the sake of a little grain, have pushed me around, humiliating me before the crowd." The assembly replied, "Why would we seize someone and push them around over a little grain, humiliating them in public? This should not happen again." Because of this theft, insults were exchanged back and forth. For this reason, the assembly gathered together and said to each other, "You have all seen this matter. For stealing another's grain, they insulted each other publicly. We don't know which of the two is at fault. Let us choose from among ourselves one person with a handsome face, complete physical features, and penetrating wisdom, and establish them as the landowner. Those at fault will be punished; those blameless will be cared for. Each of us will cultivate our fields according to the law, and give one-sixth of the produce to this person." At that time, the assembly selected a person with exactly these qualities and established them as the landowner. Then the assembly said to the landowner, "If anyone in the assembly commits an offense, please punish them according to the law; if they do not commit an offense, please care for them. Each of us will cultivate our fields according to the law, and give one-sixth of the produce to you." Thus, because of these circumstances, they established the landowner.

At that time, the Landlord saw those people: if anyone committed a wrong, he punished them according to the law; if they did no wrong, he nourished them according to the law. The people planted their fields, each following the proper rules, and gave him one-sixth of the harvest. Because the people agreed and made him their Landlord, he earned the name "Great Agreed One." Because he could protect the weak, he earned the name "Kṣatriya" (ruler). By ruling the country according to the law, he made all beings happy, and through his virtuous conduct and wisdom, he was called "Great Agreed King." When this king was established, all beings addressed each other as "sentient beings."

The Great Agreed King had a son named Joyful, who was then made king. At that time, beings were called "Recently Arrived." King Joyful had a son named Good Virtue. Further, good people, during King Good Virtue's time, all beings were called "Speckled." King Good Virtue had a son named Supreme Good, who was made king. At that time, beings were called "Cloud Gluttons." King Supreme Good had a son named Pure Long, who was made king. At that time, beings were called "Taroshanga." On King Pure Long's crown, there grew a boil, soft as fine silk or cotton. Though it grew, it never caused pain. Later, it gradually ripened, burst open, and a child emerged. This child's appearance was dignified and upright, adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great man. Because he was born from the crown, he was named "Crown-Born." King Pure Long had sixty thousand consorts. At that time, the father king took Crown-Born into the inner palace. When the sixty thousand consorts saw Crown-Born, each felt love and affection, and milk flowed from their breasts. They all said to the king, "Let me raise him! Let me raise him!" For this reason, he was also named "Raised by Many," and was then made king. At that time, all beings thought deeply, discussed and debated among themselves, distinguishing good from bad, and each learned a particular skill. Because those beings carefully reflected, "Unusha"(This means "human")—like the six kings before—lived for countless years, enduring long in the world.

At that time, King Sustainer had a blister on his right thigh. It was as soft as a heap of cotton flowers. Although it grew over time, it never caused him any pain or discomfort. Later, it gradually ripened, broke open, and a child was born. The child’s appearance was upright and dignified, adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great being. Because of his dignified appearance, he was named "Endowed with Dignity," and he was immediately established as king. He possessed great power and ruled over the four great continents with complete sovereignty.

Then, King Endowed with Dignity suddenly developed a blister on his left thigh. It was as soft as a heap of cotton flowers. Although it grew over time, it never caused any pain or discomfort. Later, it gradually ripened, broke open, and a child was born. The child’s appearance was dignified and upright, adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great being. Because he was born close to King Endowed with Dignity, he was named "Close to Dignity," and he was immediately established as king. He also possessed great power, ruling over three great continents with sovereign ease.

Then, King Close to Dignity suddenly developed a blister on his right foot. It was as soft as a heap of cotton flowers. Although it grew day by day, it never caused any pain or discomfort. Later, it gradually ripened, broke open, and a child was born. The child’s form was upright and dignified, adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great being. Because he was born from the right foot, he was named "Dignity Born from the Right Foot," and he was immediately established as king. He enjoyed majestic power and ruled over two great continents.

Then, King Dignity Born from the Right Foot suddenly developed a blister on his left foot. It was as soft as a heap of cotton flowers. Although it grew day by day, it never caused any pain or discomfort. Later, it gradually ripened, broke open, and a child was born. The child’s appearance was upright and dignified, fully adorned with the thirty-two marks of a great being. Because he was born from the left foot and was dignified, he was named "Utmost Dignity," and he was immediately established as king. He enjoyed majestic power and ruled over one great continent.

King Great Joy had a son called Joy. King Joy had a son called Virtue. King Virtue had a son called Supreme. King Supreme had a son called Pure Life. King Pure Life had a son called Sustainer. King Sustainer had a son called Dignified. King Dignified had a son called Near Dignified. King Near Dignified had a son called Possessing Dignity. King Possessing Dignity had a son called Extreme Dignity. King Extreme Dignity had a son called Love. King Love had a son called Good Love. King Good Love had a son called Able to Let Go. King Able to Let Go had a son called Extreme Letting Go. King Extreme Letting Go had a son called Chariot. King Chariot had a son called Ornate Chariot. King Ornate Chariot had a son called Small Sea. King Small Sea had a son called Middle Sea. King Middle Sea had a son called Great Sea. King Great Sea had a son called Auspicious Bird. King Auspicious Bird had a son called Great Auspicious Bird. King Great Auspicious Bird had a son called Fragrant Grass. King Fragrant Grass had a son called Near Fragrant Grass. King Near Fragrant Grass had a son called Great Fragrant Grass. King Great Fragrant Grass had a son called Good Sight. King Good Sight had a son called Great Good Sight. King Great Good Sight had a son called Extreme Love. King Extreme Love had a son called Great Love. King Great Love had a son called Wonderful Sound. King Wonderful Sound had a son called Great Wonderful Sound. King Great Wonderful Sound had a son called Maker of Light. King Maker of Light had a son called Possessing Dignity. King Possessing Dignity had a son called Vast. King Vast had a son called Great Mighty Tower. King Great Mighty Tower had a son called Possessing Mighty Tower. King Possessing Mighty Tower had a son called Vast Wisdom. King Vast Wisdom had a son called Radiant Light. King Radiant Light had a son called Possessing Radiance. King Possessing Radiance had a son called Great Radiance.

There was a mighty King Radiance, and he had sons, grandsons, great-grandsons, and so on. In the city of Pūrṇamitra, his descendants were born, continuing for a hundred generations. The final king of this line was named Damaśatrava, meaning "He who subdues his enemies," so he was called King Damaśatrava.

King Damaśatrava’s descendants continued to reign in the city of Nirākula, ruling for fifty-four thousand generations. During this time, they governed the city righteously. The final king of this line was named Ajita, meaning "Unconquerable."

Then, in the city of Vārāṇasī, his descendants continued to reign for sixty-three thousand generations. They, too, governed the city righteously. The final king of this line was named Durjaya, meaning "Hard to Defeat."

Later, in the city of Kimbila, his descendants continued to reign for eighty-four thousand generations. The final king of this line was named Brahmadatta, meaning "Given by Brahma."

"Furthermore, listen: King Brahmadatta ruled righteously in the city of Elephant-Made, and his descendants continued this just rule for 32,000 generations. The last of them was King Elephant-Blessed.

King Elephant-Blessed's descendants then ruled righteously in the city of Carved-Stone for 5,000 generations. The last of them was King Timely.

King Timely's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Broad-Shoulders for 32,000 generations. The last of them was King Youthful-Victory.

Then King Victory-Force's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Unconquered for 32,000 generations. The last of them was King Supreme-Victory.

King Supreme-Victory's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Wondrous-Maiden for 12,000 generations. The last of them was King Victorious-Army.

Then, good people, King Victorious-Army's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Gamba for 18,000 generations. The last of them was King Dragon-Deva.

Next, King Dragon-Deva's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Jasmine for 25,000 generations. The last of them was King Human-Deva.

Then King Human-Deva's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Tamalitti for 12,000 generations. The last of them was King Ocean-Deva.

Furthermore, good people, King Ocean-Deva's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Joy for 18,000 generations. The last of them was King Good-Offering.

Then, good people, King Good-Offering's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Royal-Palace for 25,000 generations. The last of them was King Dispeller-of-Darkness.

Furthermore, good people, King Dispeller-of-Darkness's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Varanasi for 100 generations. The last of them was King Great-Emperor-Army.

Then, good people, King Great-Emperor-Army's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Kushinagar for 84,000 generations. The last of them was King Ocean-Spirit.

Next, good people, King Ocean-Spirit's descendants ruled righteously in the city of Potala for 1,000 generations. The last of them was King Practitioner.

Then, good people, King Practitioner's descendants again ruled righteously in the city of Kushinagar for 84,000 generations. The last of them was King Broad-Face.

Furthermore, good people, King Broad-Face's descendants succeeded each other in ruling righteously in the city of Varanasi for 100,000 generations. The last of them was King Land-Lord.

Then, good people, King Land-Lord's descendants succeeded each other in ruling righteously in the city of No-War for 1,000 generations. The last of them was King Earth-Holder.

Finally, good people, King Earth-Holder's descendants succeeded each other in ruling righteously in the city of Mithila for 84,000 generations. The last of them was King Great-Deva."