The Chapter on the Rains
Food
Toh 1-4
Degé Kangyur, vol. 1 (’dul ba, ka), folios 237.b–251.b
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First published 2024
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Table of Contents
Summary
The Chapter on the Rains is the fourth of The Chapters on Monastic Discipline’s seventeen chapters. It sets out the Rite of Pledging to Settle for the Rains, in which monastics pledge to remain at a single site for the duration of the varṣā or summer rains. It concludes with a lengthy presentation of cases in which a monastic incurs no offense for interrupting the rains by prematurely leaving a site.
This is the third of the “Three Rites,” along with the Rite of Restoration and the Rite of Lifting Restrictions, which are set out in The Chapter on the Restoration Rite and The Chapter on Lifting Restrictions respectively. The regular observance of the “Three Rites” at an officially demarcated monastic site is considered a crucial component in ensuring the integrity of the monastics living there and nearby.
Acknowledgements
This text was translated from the Tibetan and checked against the Sanskrit original and Yijing’s Chinese translation by Robert Miller. The translation was completed under the patronage and supervision of 84000: Translating the Words of the Buddha. Nathaniel Rich and John Canti edited the translation and the introduction, and Ven. Konchog Norbu copyedited the text. André Rodrigues was in charge of the digital publication process.
Text Body
The Chapter on the Rains
Food
Food
“A monk who has pledged to settle for the rains might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, yet there is no one to provide alms. If I get fatigued or die for want of alms, it would be a hindrance to my achieving what I have not yet achieved, [F.245.a] realizing what I have not yet realized, and manifesting what I have not yet manifested. Therefore, I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Medicine
“A monk who has pledged to settle for the rains might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, yet were I to fall ill, there would be no one to provide medicine for that illness. If I get fatigued or die for want of medicine, it would be a hindrance to my achieving what I have not yet achieved, realizing what I have not yet realized, and manifesting what I have not yet manifested. Therefore, I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Nurse
“A monk who has pledged to settle for the rains might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, yet were I to fall ill, there would be no one to nurse me. If I get fatigued or die for want of a nurse, it would be a hindrance to my achieving what I have not yet achieved, realizing what I have not yet realized, and manifesting what I have not yet manifested. Therefore, I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.” [B20]
Women
“Women, having approached a monk who has pledged to settle for the rains, might make inappropriate offers to him, saying, ‘Sit, noble one, enjoy yourself. I will serve you. I will offer you my daughter. I will offer you my daughter-in-law. I will offer you serving girls. I will offer you maidservants.’
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, [F.245.b] ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, but this woman has approached me and made inappropriate offers, saying, “Sit, noble one, enjoy yourself. I will serve you. I will offer you my daughter. I will offer you my daughter-in-law. I will offer you serving girls. I will offer you maidservants.” If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Men
“A man, having approached a monk who has pledged to settle for the rains, might make inappropriate offers to him, saying, ‘Sit, noble one, enjoy yourself. I will serve you. I will offer you my daughter. I will offer you my daughter-in-law. I will offer you serving girls. I will offer you maidservants.’
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains there might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, but this man has approached me and made inappropriate offers, saying, “Sit, noble one, enjoy yourself. I will serve you. I will offer you my daughter. I will offer you my daughter-in-law. I will offer you serving girls. I will offer you maidservants.” If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Person Labeled a Paṇḍaka
“A person labeled a paṇḍaka, having approached a monk who has pledged to settle for the rains, [F.246.a] might make inappropriate offers to him, saying, ‘Sit, noble one, enjoy yourself. I will serve you. I will offer you serving girls. I will offer you maidservants.’
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains there might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, but this person labeled a paṇḍaka has approached me and made inappropriate offers, saying, “Sit, noble one, enjoy yourself. I will serve you. I will offer you serving girls. I will offer you maidservants.” If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Images
“A monk who has pledged to settle for the rains might, upon seeing a beautiful and attractive young woman, grasp at the images his incorrect attention produce of her.60 The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site but, upon seeing a beautiful and attractive young woman, I grasp at the images my incorrect attention produce of her. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Buried Treasure
“A monk who has pledged to settle for the rains might see a buried treasure.61 [F.246.b] The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains there might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, but I have seen buried treasure. If I settle for the rains at this site, this circumstance will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Kin
“Kin, having approached a monk who has pledged to settle for the rains, might make inappropriate offers, suggesting, ‘Noble one, why do you shave your head and carry a begging bowl in your hand, leaving your family’s village to wander, mortifying your body with these flimsy saffron robes? Come, noble one, indulge your desires. Give gifts. Create merit.’62
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, but kin have approached me and made inappropriate offers, suggesting, “Noble one, why do you shave your head and carry a begging bowl in your hand, leaving your family’s village to wander, mortifying your body with these flimsy saffron robes? Come, noble one, indulge your desires. Give gifts. Create merit.” If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
Should Leave on Account of Hindrances
“The king may ready the four branches of his armed forces—elephant corps, cavalry, [F.247.a] chariot corps, and infantry—and come to the park’s gates, whence he hurls curses, saying, ‘Sirs! Capture the Śākyan ascetics! …’ and so on, as stated at length in The Chapter on the Restoration Rite.63
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, yet the king has readied the four branches of his armed forces—elephant corps, cavalry, chariot corps, and infantry… and so on, as before. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by the king; or flee to another enemy land in fear of the king; or die.64
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by the king; or flee to another enemy land in fear of the king; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“Bandits may destroy a village, city, or region65 and come to the park’s gates, whence, having smeared the blood of a slaughtered bull, buffalo, or goat on their limbs, they send the monks a messenger who says, ‘Noble ones! Get out! We will stay here.’
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘I have pledged to settle for the rains at this site, but bandits have destroyed the village…’ and so on, as before.66
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by bandits; or flee to another enemy land in fear of bandits; or die.
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by bandits; or flee to another enemy land in fear of bandits; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A childish, foolish, ignorant, and unskilled latecomer might scold, insult, or touch a woman or [F.248.a] girl of a good family in a village or on the way to a village. Outraged, the local people might arrive at the park’s gates, whence they hurl curses, … and so on, as before.67 There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by men;68 or flee to another enemy land in fear of men; or die.
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by men; or flee to another enemy land in fear of men; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A monastery may be built in a region inhabited by nonhumans, where a childish, foolish, ignorant, and unskilled latecomer might scatter or throw his feces, urine, phlegm, snot, or vomit, or leave bedding soiled with semen or filth there… and so on, as before.69
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by nonhumans; or flee to another enemy land in fear of nonhumans; or die.70
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labelled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, [F.248.b] imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by nonhumans; or flee to another enemy land in fear of nonhumans; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“The monastery may be built in a region inhabited by beasts of prey, and a childish, foolish, ignorant, and unskilled latecomer might scatter or throw his feces, urine, phlegm, snot, or vomit, or leave bedding soiled with semen or filth there. Outraged, the beasts of prey might then descend upon the village, the way to the village, the walkway, the hall, or the gatehouse, besieging the monks and forcing them to move from their places.
“The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think… and so on, as before.
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by savage beasts; or flee to another [F.249.a] enemy land in fear of savage beasts; or die. The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by savage beasts; or flee to another enemy land in fear of savage beasts; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A monastery may be built in a region inhabited by nāgas… and so on, as before.71 There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by nāgas; or flee to another enemy land in fear of nāgas; or die. The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be apprehended, imprisoned, killed, or have their possessions taken by nāgas; or flee to another enemy land in fear of nāgas; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’ [F.249.b]
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A monastery may be built in a forest… and so on, as before.72 There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be burned by fire; have their wealth burned by fire; or flee to another enemy land in fear of fire; or die. The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be burned by fire; have their wealth burned by fire; or flee to another enemy land in fear of fire; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A monastery may be built in the middle of a marsh… and so on, as before.73 There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.
“A man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom a monk depended when he pledged to settle for the rains might be swept away by water; have their wealth swept away by water; flee to another, enemy land in fear of water; or die. The monk who has pledged to settle for the rains at that site might think, ‘The man, woman, or person labeled a paṇḍaka upon whom I depended when I pledged to settle for the rains might be swept away by water; have their wealth swept away by water; [F.250.a] flee to another, enemy land in fear of water; or die. If I settle for the rains at this site, these circumstances will be a hindrance to my life, to my ascetic way, to my pure living, so I should leave this site.’
“There is no offense if he interrupts the rains on account of such conditions.”
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