Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying in the Bhagga country at Susumāragira in the Bhesakaḷā Grove, the deer park. Tena samayena buddho bhagavā bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye. At that time, during winter, the monks were warming themselves after setting fire to a hollow log. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū hemantike kāle aññataraṁ mahantaṁ susirakaṭṭhaṁ jotiṁ samādahitvā visibbesuṁ. Heated by the fire, a black snake came out of the log and attacked the monks. Tasmiñca susire kaṇhasappo agginā santatto nikkhamitvā bhikkhū paripātesi. The monks ran here and there. Bhikkhū tahaṁ tahaṁ upadhāviṁsu.

The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, Ye te bhikkhū appicchā …pe… te ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How could those monks light a fire to warm themselves?” … “kathañhi nāma bhikkhū jotiṁ samādahitvā visibbessantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that monks did this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, bhikkhū jotiṁ samādahitvā visibbentī”ti?

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

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “How could those foolish men do this? kathañhi nāma te, bhikkhave, moghapurisā jotiṁ samādahitvā visibbessanti. This will affect people’s confidence …” … Netaṁ, bhikkhave, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

First preliminary ruling

‘If a monk lights a fire to warm himself, or has one lit, he commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Yo pana bhikkhu visibbanāpekkho jotiṁ samādaheyya vā samādahāpeyya 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

At one time a number of monks were sick. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū gilānā honti. The monks who were looking after them asked, Gilānapucchakā bhikkhū gilāne bhikkhū etadavocuṁ—“I hope you’re bearing up? I hope you’re getting better?” “kaccāvuso, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyan”ti?

“Previously we lit a fire to warm ourselves, “Pubbe mayaṁ, āvuso, jotiṁ samādahitvā visibbema; and then we were comfortable. tena no phāsu hoti. But now that the Buddha has prohibited this, we don’t warm ourselves because we’re afraid of wrongdoing. Because of that we’re not comfortable.” Idāni pana ‘bhagavatā paṭikkhittan’ti kukkuccāyantā na visibbema, tena no na phāsu hotī”ti.

They told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he gave a teaching and addressed the monks: Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow a sick monk to light a fire to warm himself, or to have one lit. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, gilānena bhikkhunā jotiṁ samādahitvā vā samādahāpetvā vā visibbetuṁ.

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

Second preliminary ruling

‘If a monk who is not sick lights a fire to warm himself, or has one lit, he commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Yo pana bhikkhu agilāno visibbanāpekkho jotiṁ samādaheyya vā samādahāpeyya vā, pācittiyan”ti.

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

Third sub-story

Soon afterwards the monks did not light lamps, small fires, or saunas because they were afraid of wrongdoing. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhū padīpepi jotikepi jantāgharepi kukkuccāyanti. They told the Buddha … Bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow you to light a fire, or to have one lit, if there’s a suitable reason. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, tathārūpappaccayā jotiṁ samādahituṁ samādahāpetuṁ.

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