Vinaya of the Mūlasarvāstivāda School: Matters of the Summer Retreat, Volume One

The Buddha was staying in the city of Śrāvastī, in the Jeta Grove, the garden of Anāthapiṇḍada. At that time, the World-Honored One and the bhikkhus were observing the three-month rains retreat in this dwelling place. At that time, many bhikkhus, during the summer season, traveled to other places among people. They did not guard their bodies well and injured or killed insects and ants. Seeing this, various non-Buddhist ascetics all raised criticism, saying such words: "These Śākya ascetics have no compassion. Traveling in the summer, they kill various insects and creatures, no different from ordinary people. Yet birds and beasts, during the four months, still dwell in their nests and do not venture far outside. But these shaven-headed ascetics do not observe the rains retreat, do not know to restrain themselves and abide in one place. Since they lack proper discipline, who would offer them food and clothing?"

The bhikkhus reported this matter to the Buddha. The Buddha said, "Because of this matter, I now establish the rule for bhikkhus to observe the rains retreat: for three months, they should dwell in one place."

Hearing this, the bhikkhus did not know how to observe the rains retreat. The Buddha said, "First, on the fifteenth day of the fifth month, you should sweep the dwelling place clean, spread cow dung on the ground, gather all bedding in one place, and even the foot-washing basins. After the assembly has gathered, one bhikkhu should be appointed as the keeper of the bedding. If someone possesses five qualities, he should not be appointed. What are the five? That is, being influenced by favoritism, anger, fear, delusion, or not knowing whether bedding should be distributed or not. The opposite of these five qualities means he should be appointed. He should be appointed in this way: spread a sitting mat, strike the wooden gong, announce that the assembly is gathered, and first ask the bhikkhu so-and-so: 'Can you, for the summer rains retreat Sangha, distribute the bedding?' He should answer: 'I can.' Then, one bhikkhu should first make the announcement, followed by the formal act."

"Venerable Sangha, please listen. This bhikkhu, named so-and-so, is willing to distribute bedding for the Sangha during the summer retreat. If the Sangha is ready, the Sangha should consent. The Sangha now appoints bhikkhu so-and-so as the distributor of bedding for the Sangha during the summer retreat. This is the announcement."

"Venerable Sangha, please listen. This bhikkhu, named so-and-so, is willing to distribute bedding for the Sangha during the summer retreat. The Sangha now appoints bhikkhu so-and-so to distribute bedding for the Sangha during the summer retreat. If the venerable ones consent to bhikkhu so-and-so distributing bedding for the Sangha during the summer retreat, remain silent. If anyone does not consent, speak now."

"The Sangha has consented to appoint so-and-so as the distributor of bedding for the Sangha during the summer retreat. The Sangha has approved through its silence. I now declare it thus."

The Buddha said: "I now establish the rules for distributing bedding and seating for the bhikkhus. The monk in charge of duties should first prepare the tokens for the assembly. The next day, he should spread the sitting mats, strike the wooden gong, and announce the procedure clearly to all.

All tokens should have flowers tied at both ends, be wiped clean with fragrant clay, and placed in a bamboo box. They should be perfumed with incense and covered with white cloth. Each token should be one cubit long and placed before the senior monk.

Then the rule should be announced: 'Venerable Sangha, listen! Regarding all established rules in this dwelling place, if the venerable ones are willing to abide by them without violation during this retreat, you may accept a token. During this summer retreat, the bhikkhus should not accuse each other of breaking views, breaking precepts, breaking proper conduct, or breaking proper livelihood. If any of you know of an offense, it should be discussed now, not brought up during the retreat to disturb the bhikkhus and disrupt their peaceful dwelling.'

After this announcement, the bedding should be distributed. One bhikkhu should carry the token tray in front, while the one collecting tokens follows with an empty tray. The great teacher and leader first places one token. Then he approaches the senior monk, who should rise slightly from his seat, squat respectfully with palms together, and receive the token. He then places it calmly on the empty tray. This proceeds in order down to the last monk.

If a novice is not present, his preceptor or teacher should receive the token on his behalf. Then a token for the temple guardian deity is taken. After all tokens have been distributed, they should be counted. Announce to the assembly: 'In this dwelling place, the number of bhikkhus who have received tokens is such-and-such, and the number of novices is such-and-such.'

The bhikkhu distributing bedding should then bring all the keys and place them before the senior monk, saying: 'Venerable one, such-and-such quarters have these benefits. If you wish, you may take them.' If the senior monk does not take those quarters, they should be offered to the second senior monk. If the second senior monk takes them, his previous quarters should be given to the third senior monk. This continues in order down to the last member of the Sangha.

If the first senior monk, seeing the quarters given to the second, then asks for them, he should not be given them upon the first request. Nor should they be given upon the second request. Upon the third request, they may be given, but the senior monk commits an offense of misconduct. This applies in order down to the last monk, with each receiving an offense for violating the procedure, as explained above."

However, when it came to lodging, all the rooms in the monastery were fully distributed. When visiting monks arrived, there were no rooms to offer them. The World-Honored One said, "You should reserve one room with its bedding for visiting monks." At that time, the monks left rooms in the gatehouse, under the eaves of the porch, and on the stairway for visiting monks. The Buddha said, "You should not leave rooms in the gatehouse, under the eaves of the porch, or on the stairway for visiting monks. These places are where birds dwell, not suitable for human habitation." The Buddha said, "One monk should be appointed to manage the Sangha's offerings, and a separate room should be reserved with bedding. That monk should personally guard all these items and also inspect for insects and beehives. If bees have left the hive, it should be removed immediately. If the young bees have not yet emerged, the hive should be tied with a string and placed elsewhere, and once they grow up, they will leave on their own. When visiting monks arrive, bedding should be offered. If there are few monks, give one set to each. If there are many, two may share one set, or three share one."

There were some elderly monks who, after receiving large, heavy woolen mats, found them difficult to move and did not know what to do. The Buddha said: "If an elderly monk is unable to move the mat, he should rely on the help of a younger monk. Once the bedding has been distributed, the younger monk should be told: 'You should not lie down on it unless you have your own covering, nor should you use small, dirty, torn, or thin items as a substitute for monastery bedding.'"

"Then the monk in charge of assignments should go around inspecting the rooms. If he sees anyone using the bedding improperly, he should punish them according to the rules. If the offender is a junior monk, he should inform the two teachers and have them admonish him."

"The monk assigned to inspect the rooms should go around on the fifteenth of each month to observe. If someone is using the bedding incorrectly, he should make it known to the community, confiscate the bedding, and impose the appropriate punishment. If the offender is a disciple, the bedding should be reported to his teacher, who will collect it."

"When the community gathers, you should announce: 'Venerable ones! In this dwelling place there are this many people. We will rely on so-and-so as our benefactor, and such-and-such village as our alms-gathering area. So-and-so will handle affairs, and so-and-so will tend to the sick. Here in this dwelling we shall observe the rains retreat.'

At that time, the monks should inspect the nearby villages and alms-gathering areas. After examining them, if they find a place they like, each one should think: 'I can observe the rains retreat here. I will not cause worry or distress to my fellow practitioners. If such troubles arise, I will quickly put them to rest. For any ease that has not yet arisen, I will help it arise; and for any that has already arisen, I will help it grow. At the alms-gathering villages, I will not cause hardship. If I fall ill, there will be someone to attend to me, providing medicine, food, and drink—everything I need will be available.'

Having thought this, you should go to a quiet place, face a single monk, and conduct yourself with proper dignity. Paying respects according to your age, you should crouch, join your palms, and say: 'Venerable one, please bear witness! Today, on the sixteenth day of the fifth month, the Sangha begins the summer rains retreat. I, the monk [your name], also begin my summer rains retreat on the sixteenth day of the fifth month. I, the monk [your name], will observe the first three months of the summer rains retreat within the boundaries of this dwelling. So-and-so is my benefactor, so-and-so handles affairs, and so-and-so tends to the sick. In this dwelling, if there are any cracks or breaks in the walls, I will repair them. This summer, I will stay here for the rains retreat.' You should recite this a second and third time. The monk you are addressing should respond: 'Okpeka.' You should answer: 'Sādhu.'

If there are circumstances preventing you from observing the early rains retreat, you may observe the later rains retreat, following the same procedure. Once you have entered the rains retreat, you should not stay overnight outside the dwelling's boundaries. If there is a reason requiring you to leave, you should not stay away overnight."

At that time, in Elephant Village, there was an elder named Udayana. His household was very wealthy, abundant with property and clothing. This elder set aside a separate storeroom in his home, stocking it with ample food and clothing, intending to offer them to the Bhikkhu Sangha. He immediately sent a messenger to Shravasti City to invite the Bhikkhu Sangha, saying: "In such-and-such village, the elder so-and-so says this: 'In my home, there are many clothes and provisions. Now I wish to make offerings to the venerable ones. Please graciously accept them out of compassion.'"

The Bhikkhus replied to the messenger: "How far is this elder's home from here?" The messenger answered: "It is a little over three yojanas from here." The Bhikkhus then thought: "It is very far from here. If we go, can we return by evening?" Each said to themselves: "Since it is so far, we cannot return by evening. The World-Honored One has instructed us during the rains retreat not to stay outside the boundary. We do not know what to do." Consequently, they did not go.

Now, near that Elephant Village, other Bhikkhus were spending the rains retreat there. They accepted the invitation. Having accepted it, they received ample food and clothing. After completing the three-month rains retreat, they put on their robes, took their bowls, and traveled to Shravasti City, journeying gradually until they reached a monastery there.

Upon their arrival, some Bhikkhus came forward to greet them, taking their robes and bowls and arranging for their lodging. The host asked: "Where have you come from? Where did you spend the rains retreat?" The visiting Bhikkhus replied: "We spent the three-month rains retreat near Elephant Village. After completing it, we came from there." The host asked: "Was your retreat peaceful? Did you have to beg for food? Did you suffer any hardship?" They replied: "Our retreat there was very peaceful. We had abundant food and clothing and did not suffer any hardship." The host then asked: "How is it that you had abundant food and clothing there and lacked nothing?" They replied: "Nearby there is a village called Elephant Village. In that village, there is an elder named Udayana. His household is extremely wealthy. With deep faith, he performed meritorious deeds, bringing much food, drink, and clothing to offer as gifts. Because of this, we had everything in abundance."

The Bhikkhu host then said: "That elder had also sent us an invitation. But when we asked, 'How far is it from here?' The messenger replied, 'Three yojanas.' We thought, 'If we go there, we might not return by night, and the World-Honored One does not allow staying outside the boundary during the rains retreat.' So we did not go."

The Bhikkhus then reported this matter to the Buddha. The Buddha reflected: "Although my disciples have no attachment to clothing or food, in order to allow them to dwell in peace and also to enable donors to gain the merit of their offerings, I should permit them to go in response to invitations for up to seven days." Having gathered the Sangha, the Buddha told the Bhikkhus: "During the rains retreat, if there is a need to go outside the boundary for a matter, one may request permission to leave for up to seven days, or as little as one day, before going."

The Buddha permitted this, but the Bhikkhus did not know what kind of matters warranted going. They reported this to the Buddha. The Buddha said: "These matters concern upasakas (male lay followers), upasikas (female lay followers), Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunis, sikkhamanas (female novices in training), samaneras (male novices), and samaneris (female novices)."

Not understanding what constituted matters of an upasaka and so on, they asked further. The Buddha said: "If an upasaka has an affair at home, and he takes the clothes he is wearing and prepares food and drink, and then sends a messenger to invite the Bhikkhus, saying: 'May the venerable ones come and receive my offerings,' this is called a matter concerning an upasaka. On that occasion, a Bhikkhu should, having knelt respectfully with palms together before that upasaka, accept the seven-day permission and then go. This is the rule concerning an upasaka."

"If a lay follower wishes to offer monks bedding, clothing, or other items of food and shelter, and invites them saying: 'I humbly request the holy community to accept my offerings of food and clothing,'" the Buddha said, "The monk should observe the seven-day rule and go outside the monastery boundaries. This is what is meant by circumstances involving a lay follower."