BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Buddhist Monastic Code 1overheard the naked ascetics' conversation, they said to him, "Venerable sir, theseadherents of other religions enjoy criticizing the Buddha... Dhamma... and Saṅgha.It would be good if the masters did not give to adherents of other religions with theirown hands."Object. The Vibhaṅga defines the terms naked ascetic and male or female wandererin such a way that they cover all people who have "gone forth" except for bhikkhus,bhikkhunīs, female trainees, and male or female novices. Because "going forth" washow ordination was understood at that time, we can use the Great Standards atpresent to include anyone ordained in other religions — e.g., Catholic priests,Protestant ministers, Jewish rabbis, Muslim mullahs, etc. — under the factor ofobject here as well. Different Communities differ as to whether they would includepeople ordained in other Buddhist religions — such as Zen priests or Tibetan lamas— under this category as well.Perception as to whether a person would qualify as a naked ascetic or a male orfemale wanderer is not a mitigating factor here (see Pc 4).Effort. Staple and non-staple food here covers all edibles: juice drinks, tonics, andmedicines as well as food, but not water or tooth-cleaning sticks. Staple and nonstaplefoods are grounds for a pācittiya; water and tooth-cleaning sticks, groundsfor a dukkaṭa.To give is defined as giving with the body, with something in contact with the body,or by means of letting go, as in the preceding rule.Non-offenses. To get someone else to give edible things, to give edible things bydepositing them near (as in NP 18), or to give ointments for external use entails nooffense. As the New K/Sub-commentary points out, this last exemption wasprobably meant to apply to oils, which otherwise would come under "non-staplefood" here.Summary: Handing food or medicine to a person ordained in another religion is apācittiya offense.42. Should any bhikkhu say to a bhikkhu, "Come, my friend, let'senter the village or town for alms," and then — whether or not he hashad (food) given to him — dismiss him, saying, "Go away, my friend. Idon't like sitting or talking with you. I prefer sitting or talking alone" —doing it for just that reason and no other — it is to be confessed.The factors for the full offense here are four.1) Object: another bhikkhu.2) Intention: One wants to indulge in misconduct and does not want him tosee it.340