BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

The Valuable Chapter Chapter 8.9bhikkhu bitten by a snake. Examples more likely at present would include rushing toget a doctor for a sick bhikkhu or to get help when a fire has broken out in themonastery.Further action. Although there is no penalty for engaging in animal talk, a bhikkhuwho enters a village frequently and engages in it, even if he takes leave of otherbhikkhus, can be subject to an act of censure for "unbecoming association withhouseholders" (see BMC2, Chapter 20).Non-offenses. There is no offense in entering a village when one has taken leave ofanother bhikkhu, or in going when one has not taken leave if:There is an emergency.There is no bhikkhu available (e.g., one is living alone or all the otherbhikkhus have left).One is on one's way to another monastery (§), to bhikkhunīs' quarters, tothe residence of people ordained in another religion (located in a village,says the Commentary), or one is returning from any of these places.One is going along a road that happens to pass through a village.(According to the Commentary, a bhikkhu who wants to leave the road andenter the village proper should take leave of another bhikkhu if one isavailable.)There are dangers. (Examples in the Commentary include seeing lions ortigers approaching, or clouds building up and threatening a storm.)Summary: Entering a village, town, or city during the period after noon until thefollowing dawnrise, without having taken leave of an available bhikkhu — unlessthere is an emergency — is a pācittiya offense.86. Should any bhikkhu have a needle box made of bone, ivory, orhorn, it is to be broken and confessed.The origin story here echoes the one for NP 22."Now at that time a certain ivory-worker had invited the bhikkhus, saying, 'If any ofthe masters needs a needle box, I will supply him with a needle box.' So thebhikkhus asked for many needle boxes. Those with small needle boxes asked forlarge ones; those with large ones asked for small ones. The ivory-worker, makingmany needle boxes for the bhikkhus, was not able to make other goods for sale. Hecould not support himself, and his wife and children suffered."Here there are three factors for the full offense.1) Object: a needle box made of bone, ivory, or horn.2) Effort: One acquires it after making it or having it made3) Intention: for one's own use.417