BUDDHIST MONASTIC CODE I

Buddhist Monastic Code IChapter 10SekhiyaSekhiyaThis term means "to be trained in." There are 75 training rules in this category,divided by subject into four groups: etiquette in dressing and behaving when ininhabited areas; etiquette in accepting and eating almsfood; etiquette whenteaching the Dhamma; and etiquette in urinating, defecating, and spitting.The rules themselves do not impose a direct penalty. Instead, they simply say,"(This is) a training to be observed." The Vibhaṅga, though, says that to violate anyof these rules out of disrespect incurs a dukkaṭa. The non-offense clauses state ineach case that to violate them unintentionally, unthinkingly, or unknowingly, or todisobey them when there are dangers or (in most cases) when one is ill, incurs nopenalty. (The exemption for dangers is not in the Burmese edition of the Canon.)The Commentary adds that unknowingly in this case does not mean not knowing therule. For a new bhikkhu not to make the effort to know the rules, it says, wouldqualify as disrespect. So unknowingly here means not knowing that a situationcontrary to the rules has developed. For instance, if one does not know that one'srobes have gotten out of kilter, that would not count as a breach of the relevant rule.One: The 26 Dealing with Proper BehaviorThe Canon contains several stories in which a bhikkhu's behavior causes anotherperson to become interested in the Dhamma. The most famous example is the storyof Ven. Sāriputta's first encounter with Ven. Assaji."Now at that time the wanderer Sañjaya was staying in Rājagaha with a largecompany of wanderers — 250 in all. And at that time Sāriputta and Moggallāna werepracticing the celibate life under Sañjaya. They had made this agreement: Whoeverattains the Deathless first will inform the other."Then Ven. Assaji, dressing early in the morning, taking his bowl and (outer) robe,entered Rājagaha for alms: gracious in the way he approached and departed,looked forward and behind, drew in and stretched out (his arm); his eyes downcast,his every movement consummate. Sāriputta the wanderer saw Ven. Assaji going foralms in Rājagaha: gracious... his eyes downcast, his every movement consummate.On seeing him, the thought occurred to him: 'Surely, of those bhikkhus in this worldwho are arahants or have entered the path to arahantship, this is one. What if I wereto go to him and question him: "Friend, on whose account have you gone forth? Orwho is your teacher? Or in whose Dhamma do you delight?"'437