BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

The Exhortation Chapter Chapter 8.3The texts do not address the case in which another person makes the arrangementsfor a bhikkhu and bhikkhunī to travel together, say, as part of a larger group.However, the wording of the Vibhaṅga's definition of arrangement — in which thebhikkhu and bhikkhunī are addressing each other — and the non-offense clauseallowing the two to travel together if they have not made an arrangement, suggestthat as long as the bhikkhu and bhikkhunī do not address each other — directly orthrough an intermediary — about making the trip, there is no offense in joining thegroup.Going as arranged. If a specific time frame was part of the arrangement, then thetwo parties must begin traveling together within that time frame for this factor to befulfilled. If they happen to start out earlier or later than arranged, again the bhikkhuincurs no penalty. The examples in the Commentary suggest that "earlier" or "later"here involve fairly substantial amounts of time, i.e., going one day later thanarranged, or going before the meal when the arrangement was to go after the meal.The Commentary also adds that if a specific place to meet or route to travel werepart of the arrangement, any change in those factors would be irrelevant to theoffense. For example, if they agreed to go by train but ended up going by car, thefactor of "going as arranged" would still be fulfilled.From one village to another. There is some controversy as to whether this phrase —gāmantara — means "from one village to another" or "from one house to another."According to Buddhaghosa, the ancient commentaries opted for "village," while heopts for "house." The ancient commentaries have the support of the Canon here, inthat the term in question also occurs in Bhikkhunīs' Sg 3 & Pc 37, where it definitelymeans the area outside a village and not the interval from one house to anotherwithin a village.There is a pācittiya for every village-to-village interval one passes. In an area wherethere are no villages — i.e., says the Sub-commentary, where villages are furtherthan half a league (8 km. or 5 miles) apart — there is a pācittiya for every halfleagueone travels together as arranged.The allowable occasions. A road to be traveled by caravan (§) is one too dubious orrisky to travel alone. (BD translates this as a "road to be traveled with a weapon,"but because bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs are not allowed even to touch weapons, it's adoubtful translation at best.)Dubious means that the eating, sleeping, sitting, or standing places of thieves havebeen seen along the road; risky, that people are known to have been beaten,plundered, or robbed by thieves there.The Vibhaṅga adds that if the road was believed to be dubious or risky but is laterfound to be safe, the exemption no longer holds, and the bhikkhus are to dismissthe bhikkhunīs from their company.Non-offenses. There is no offense:295