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Mv III 02
PTS: Mv III 3 | CS: vin.mv.03.02
Vassāne cārikāpaṭikkhepādi
The Prohibition Against Going on Tour During the Rains, etc.[1]
by
Ven. Khematto Bhikkhu
Alternate translations/layout: 'line by line' Pāḷi - English

(Mv.III.3.1) [207] Now at that time the Group-of-six monks, having entered for the Rains, went on a walking tour during the Rains. Because of that, people criticized and complained and spread it about, “How can the Sakyan-son contemplatives go on walking tours in the hot season, the cold season, and the rainy season — crushing crops and grasses, harming one-facultied life, bringing many small creatures to destruction?

“Even these wanderers of other religions with poorly-expounded Dhammas stick to one place and stay put for the Rains-residence. Even the little birds, having made nests in the tops of trees stick to one place and stay put for the Rains-residence.

“But these Sakyan-son contemplatives go on walking tours in the hot season, the cold season, and the rainy season — crushing crops and grasses, harming one-facultied life, bringing many small creatures to destruction.”

(Mv.III.3.2) The monks heard the people criticizing and complaining and spreading it about. Those monks who were modest criticized and complained and spread it about: “How can the Group-of-six monks, having entered for the Rains, go on a walking tour during the Rains?”

Then the monks reported the matter to the Blessed One. Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, having entered for the Rains, one should not set out on a walking tour without having stayed either the first three months or the last three months. Whoever should set out: an offense of wrong doing.”

(Mv.III.4.1) [208] Now at that time the Group-of-six monks didn’t want to enter for the Rains. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, one should not not enter for the Rains. Whoever does not enter: an offense of wrong doing.”

(Mv.III.4.2) Now at that time the Group-of-six monks, on a day for beginning the Rains, intentionally passed by a residence not desiring to enter for the Rains. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, on a day for beginning the Rains, one should not intentionally pass by a residence not desiring to enter for the Rains. Whoever should pass by: an offense of wrong doing.” [2]

(Mv.III.4.3) [209] Now at that time King Seniya Bimbisāra of Magadha, wanting to delay the Rains[3], sent a messenger to the presence of the monks, (saying,) “When the next bright fortnight comes, may the masters enter for the Rains.”[4]

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that kings be complied with.” [5]

Notes

1.
See also: BMCII: Chap. 11: Duration.
2.
BMCII: Chap. 11: Entering for the Rains.
3.
In the Buddha’s time, kings would determine the lunar calendar, making it easier to coordinate agricultural work or to keep the calendar in line with the actual seasons and avoid disagreements that would arise over this matter.
4.
Commentay: Wanting to delay the first month of the Rains; desiring not to make (the next month) the month of Sāvaṇā, but to make it that very month of Āsāḷha again.
“The next bright fortnight”: That means the next month.
5.
BMCII: Chap. 11: Periods of residence;
Commentay: “Monks, I allow that kings be complied with”: (The Buddha) allowed (the king) to be complied with, (thinking,) “In this case — delaying the Rains — there is no harm for the monks.” Thus in the case of another action [or: transaction] in line with the Dhamma, (a king) should also be complied with. But in the case it is not in line with the Dhamma, no one should be complied with.
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