Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Great Analysis Mahāvibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing confession Pācittiyakaṇḍa
The subchapter on the instruction Ovādavagga

28. The training rule on boarding boats 28. Nāvābhiruhanasikkhāpada

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At that time the monks from the group of six were boarding boats by arrangement with nuns. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhanti. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“Just as we enjoy ourselves on boats with our wives, so these Sakyan monastics make arrangements with the nuns and then enjoy themselves on boats.” “yatheva mayaṁ sapajāpatikā nāvāya kīḷāma, evamevime samaṇā sakyaputtiyā bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya nāvāya kīḷantī”ti.

The monks heard the complaints of those people, Assosuṁ kho bhikkhū tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the monks from the group of six board boats by arrangement with nuns?” … “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhissantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that you do this?” “saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhathā”ti?

“It’s true, sir.” “Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “Foolish men, how can you do this? kathañhi nāma tumhe, moghapurisā, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhissatha. This will affect people’s confidence …” … Netaṁ, moghapurisā, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk boards a boat by arrangement with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, he commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Yo pana bhikkhu bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruheyya, uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, pācittiyan”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a number of monks and nuns were traveling from Sāketa to Sāvatthī. Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā bhikkhū ca bhikkhuniyo ca sāketā sāvatthiṁ addhānamaggappaṭipannā honti. On the way they needed to cross a river. Antarāmagge nadī taritabbā hoti. The nuns said to the monks, Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo te bhikkhū etadavocuṁ—“Let’s cross together.” “mayampi ayyehi saddhiṁ uttarissāmā”ti.

“Sisters, it’s not allowable for us to board a boat by arrangement with a nun. “Na, bhaginī, kappati bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhituṁ; Either you cross first, or we will.” tumhe vā paṭhamaṁ uttaratha mayaṁ vā uttarissāmā”ti.

“You have the higher status, venerables. “Ayyā, bhante, aggapurisā. Please go first.” Ayyāva paṭhamaṁ uttarantū”ti.

But because the nuns crossed afterwards, they were robbed and raped by bandits. Atha kho tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ pacchā uttarantīnaṁ corā acchindiṁsu ca dūsesuñca. When they arrived at Sāvatthī they told the nuns there what had happened. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo sāvatthiṁ gantvā bhikkhunīnaṁ etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ. The nuns then told the monks, Bhikkhuniyo bhikkhūnaṁ etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ. who in turn told the Buddha. Bhikkhū bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ.

Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks: Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

“Monks, I allow you to board a boat by arrangement with a nun if it’s for the purpose of crossing. “anujānāmi, bhikkhave, tiriyaṁ taraṇāya bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhituṁ.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Final ruling

‘If a monk boards a boat by arrangement with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Yo pana bhikkhu bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruheyya uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, pācittiyan”ti.

Definitions

A: Yo panāti: whoever … yo yādiso …pe…
Monk: bhikkhūti: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case. …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippeto bhikkhūti.
A nun: Bhikkhunī nāma: she has been given the full ordination by both Sanghas. ubhatosaṅghe upasampannā.
With: Saddhinti: together. ekato.
By arrangement: Saṁvidhāyāti: if he makes an arrangement like this: he says, “Let’s board, Sister,” and she replies, “Yes, let’s board, venerable;” or she says, “Let’s board, venerable,” and he replies, “Yes, let’s board, Sister;” or he says, “Let’s board today,” “Let’s board tomorrow,” “Let’s board the day after tomorrow,” then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. “abhiruhāma, bhagini, abhiruhāmāyya; abhiruhāmāyya, abhiruhāma, bhagini; ajja vā hiyyo vā pare vā abhiruhāmā”ti saṁvidahati āpatti dukkaṭassa. If the monk boards when the nun has already boarded, he commits an offense entailing confession. Bhikkhuniyā abhiruḷhe bhikkhu abhiruhati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If the nun boards when the monk has already boarded, he commits an offense entailing confession. Bhikkhumhi abhiruḷhe bhikkhunī abhiruhati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If they both board together, he commits an offense entailing confession. Ubho vā abhiruhanti, āpatti pācittiyassa.
To go upstream: Uddhaṅgāmininti: for the purpose of going against the stream. ujjavanikāya.
To go downstream: Adhogāmininti: for the purpose of going with the stream. ojavanikāya.
Except for the purpose of crossing: Aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāyāti: unless it is to go across. ṭhapetvā tiriyaṁ taraṇaṁ.

When the inhabited areas are a chicken’s flight apart, then for every next inhabited area he commits an offense entailing confession. Kukkuṭasampāte gāme, gāmantare gāmantare āpatti pācittiyassa. When it is an uninhabited area, a wilderness, then for every six kilometers he commits an offense entailing confession. Agāmake araññe, aḍḍhayojane aḍḍhayojane āpatti pācittiyassa.

Permutations

If there is an arrangement, and he perceives that there is, and he boards a boat with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession. Saṁvidahite saṁvidahitasaññī ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhati uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, āpatti pācittiyassa. If there is an arrangement, but he is unsure of it, and he boards a boat with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession. Saṁvidahite vematiko ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhati uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, āpatti pācittiyassa. If there is an arrangement, but he does not perceive that there is, and he boards a boat with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession. Saṁvidahite asaṁvidahitasaññī ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhati uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If the monk makes an arrangement, but the nun does not express her agreement, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Bhikkhu saṁvidahati, bhikkhunī na saṁvidahati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If there is no arrangement, but he perceives that there is, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Asaṁvidahite saṁvidahitasaññī, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If there is no arrangement, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Asaṁvidahite vematiko, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If there is no arrangement, and he does not perceive that there is, there is no offense. Asaṁvidahite, asaṁvidahitasaññī, anāpatti.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: Anāpatti—if it is for the purpose of crossing; tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, if they board without an arrangement; asaṁvidahitvā abhiruhanti, if the nun has made an arrangement, but he has not expressed his agreement; bhikkhunī saṁvidahati, bhikkhu na saṁvidahati, if they board, but not according to the arrangement; visaṅketena abhiruhanti, if there is an emergency; āpadāsu, if he is insane; ummattakassa, if he is the first offender. ādikammissāti.

The training rule on boarding boats, the eighth, is finished. Nāvābhiruhanasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.

English Translation

Pāli Text

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law
The Great Analysis
The chapter on offenses entailing confession
The subchapter on the instruction

28. The training rule on boarding boats

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the monks from the group of six were boarding boats by arrangement with nuns. People complained and criticized them, “Just as we enjoy ourselves on boats with our wives, so these Sakyan monastics make arrangements with the nuns and then enjoy themselves on boats.”

The monks heard the complaints of those people, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, “How can the monks from the group of six board boats by arrangement with nuns?” … “Is it true, monks, that you do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how can you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk boards a boat by arrangement with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a number of monks and nuns were traveling from Sāketa to Sāvatthī. On the way they needed to cross a river. The nuns said to the monks, “Let’s cross together.”

“Sisters, it’s not allowable for us to board a boat by arrangement with a nun. Either you cross first, or we will.”

“You have the higher status, venerables. Please go first.”

But because the nuns crossed afterwards, they were robbed and raped by bandits. When they arrived at Sāvatthī they told the nuns there what had happened. The nuns then told the monks, who in turn told the Buddha.

Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow you to board a boat by arrangement with a nun if it’s for the purpose of crossing.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling

‘If a monk boards a boat by arrangement with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A:: whoever …
Monk:: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case.
A nun:: she has been given the full ordination by both Sanghas.
With:: together.
By arrangement:: if he makes an arrangement like this: he says, “Let’s board, Sister,” and she replies, “Yes, let’s board, venerable;” or she says, “Let’s board, venerable,” and he replies, “Yes, let’s board, Sister;” or he says, “Let’s board today,” “Let’s board tomorrow,” “Let’s board the day after tomorrow,” then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If the monk boards when the nun has already boarded, he commits an offense entailing confession. If the nun boards when the monk has already boarded, he commits an offense entailing confession. If they both board together, he commits an offense entailing confession.
To go upstream:: for the purpose of going against the stream.
To go downstream:: for the purpose of going with the stream.
Except for the purpose of crossing:: unless it is to go across.

When the inhabited areas are a chicken’s flight apart, then for every next inhabited area he commits an offense entailing confession. When it is an uninhabited area, a wilderness, then for every six kilometers he commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If there is an arrangement, and he perceives that there is, and he boards a boat with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession. If there is an arrangement, but he is unsure of it, and he boards a boat with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession. If there is an arrangement, but he does not perceive that there is, and he boards a boat with a nun, either to go upstream or downstream, except for the purpose of crossing, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If the monk makes an arrangement, but the nun does not express her agreement, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If there is no arrangement, but he perceives that there is, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If there is no arrangement, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If there is no arrangement, and he does not perceive that there is, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if it is for the purpose of crossing; if they board without an arrangement; if the nun has made an arrangement, but he has not expressed his agreement; if they board, but not according to the arrangement; if there is an emergency; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The training rule on boarding boats, the eighth, is finished.

Theravāda Vinaya
Mahāvibhaṅga
Pācittiyakaṇḍa
Ovādavagga

28. Nāvābhiruhanasikkhāpada

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhanti. Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“yatheva mayaṁ sapajāpatikā nāvāya kīḷāma, evamevime samaṇā sakyaputtiyā bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya nāvāya kīḷantī”ti.

Assosuṁ kho bhikkhū tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhissantī”ti …pe… “saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhathā”ti?

“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… kathañhi nāma tumhe, moghapurisā, bhikkhunīhi saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhissatha. Netaṁ, moghapurisā, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

“Yo pana bhikkhu bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruheyya, uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, pācittiyan”ti.

Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā bhikkhū ca bhikkhuniyo ca sāketā sāvatthiṁ addhānamaggappaṭipannā honti. Antarāmagge nadī taritabbā hoti. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo te bhikkhū etadavocuṁ—“mayampi ayyehi saddhiṁ uttarissāmā”ti.

“Na, bhaginī, kappati bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhituṁ; tumhe vā paṭhamaṁ uttaratha mayaṁ vā uttarissāmā”ti.

“Ayyā, bhante, aggapurisā. Ayyāva paṭhamaṁ uttarantū”ti.

Atha kho tāsaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ pacchā uttarantīnaṁ corā acchindiṁsu ca dūsesuñca. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo sāvatthiṁ gantvā bhikkhunīnaṁ etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ. Bhikkhuniyo bhikkhūnaṁ etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ. Bhikkhū bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ.

Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

“anujānāmi, bhikkhave, tiriyaṁ taraṇāya bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhituṁ.

Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

“Yo pana bhikkhu bhikkhuniyā saddhiṁ saṁvidhāya ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruheyya uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, pācittiyan”ti.

Yo panāti: yo yādiso …pe…
bhikkhūti: …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippeto bhikkhūti.
Bhikkhunī nāma: ubhatosaṅghe upasampannā.
Saddhinti: ekato.
Saṁvidhāyāti: “abhiruhāma, bhagini, abhiruhāmāyya; abhiruhāmāyya, abhiruhāma, bhagini; ajja vā hiyyo vā pare vā abhiruhāmā”ti saṁvidahati āpatti dukkaṭassa. Bhikkhuniyā abhiruḷhe bhikkhu abhiruhati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Bhikkhumhi abhiruḷhe bhikkhunī abhiruhati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Ubho vā abhiruhanti, āpatti pācittiyassa.
Uddhaṅgāmininti: ujjavanikāya.
Adhogāmininti: ojavanikāya.
Aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāyāti: ṭhapetvā tiriyaṁ taraṇaṁ.

Kukkuṭasampāte gāme, gāmantare gāmantare āpatti pācittiyassa. Agāmake araññe, aḍḍhayojane aḍḍhayojane āpatti pācittiyassa.

Saṁvidahite saṁvidahitasaññī ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhati uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, āpatti pācittiyassa. Saṁvidahite vematiko ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhati uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, āpatti pācittiyassa. Saṁvidahite asaṁvidahitasaññī ekaṁ nāvaṁ abhiruhati uddhaṅgāminiṁ vā adhogāminiṁ vā, aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, āpatti pācittiyassa.

Bhikkhu saṁvidahati, bhikkhunī na saṁvidahati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Asaṁvidahite saṁvidahitasaññī, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Asaṁvidahite vematiko, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Asaṁvidahite, asaṁvidahitasaññī, anāpatti.

Anāpatti—tiriyaṁ taraṇāya, asaṁvidahitvā abhiruhanti, bhikkhunī saṁvidahati, bhikkhu na saṁvidahati, visaṅketena abhiruhanti, āpadāsu, ummattakassa, ādikammissāti.

Nāvābhiruhanasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Great Analysis Mahāvibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing confession Pācittiyakaṇḍa
The subchapter on the instruction Ovādavagga

28. The training rule on boarding boats 28. Nāvābhiruhanasikkhāpada

Origin story

First sub-story

“It’s true, sir.” “Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

Preliminary ruling

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Second sub-story

“You have the higher status, venerables. “Ayyā, bhante, aggapurisā. Please go first.” Ayyāva paṭhamaṁ uttarantū”ti.

Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks: Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Final ruling

Definitions

A: Yo panāti: whoever … yo yādiso …pe…
Monk: bhikkhūti: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case. …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippeto bhikkhūti.
A nun: Bhikkhunī nāma: she has been given the full ordination by both Sanghas. ubhatosaṅghe upasampannā.
With: Saddhinti: together. ekato.
By arrangement: Saṁvidhāyāti: if he makes an arrangement like this: he says, “Let’s board, Sister,” and she replies, “Yes, let’s board, venerable;” or she says, “Let’s board, venerable,” and he replies, “Yes, let’s board, Sister;” or he says, “Let’s board today,” “Let’s board tomorrow,” “Let’s board the day after tomorrow,” then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. “abhiruhāma, bhagini, abhiruhāmāyya; abhiruhāmāyya, abhiruhāma, bhagini; ajja vā hiyyo vā pare vā abhiruhāmā”ti saṁvidahati āpatti dukkaṭassa. If the monk boards when the nun has already boarded, he commits an offense entailing confession. Bhikkhuniyā abhiruḷhe bhikkhu abhiruhati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If the nun boards when the monk has already boarded, he commits an offense entailing confession. Bhikkhumhi abhiruḷhe bhikkhunī abhiruhati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If they both board together, he commits an offense entailing confession. Ubho vā abhiruhanti, āpatti pācittiyassa.
To go upstream: Uddhaṅgāmininti: for the purpose of going against the stream. ujjavanikāya.
To go downstream: Adhogāmininti: for the purpose of going with the stream. ojavanikāya.
Except for the purpose of crossing: Aññatra tiriyaṁ taraṇāyāti: unless it is to go across. ṭhapetvā tiriyaṁ taraṇaṁ.

Permutations

Non-offenses

The training rule on boarding boats, the eighth, is finished. Nāvābhiruhanasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ aṭṭhamaṁ.