Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules)
by I. B. Horner | 2014 | 345,334 words | ISBN-13: 9781921842160
The English translation of the Bhikkhu-vibhanga: the first part of the Suttavibhanga, which itself is the first book of the Pali Vinaya Pitaka, one of the three major ‘baskets’ of Therevada canonical literature. It is a collection of rules for Buddhist monks. The English translation of the Vinaya-pitaka (first part, bhikkhu-vibhanga) contains many...
Monks’ Training (Sekhiya) 58
Bu-Sk.58.1.1 … in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the group of six monks taught dhamma to (someone) with a staff in his hand … “…
‘I will not teach dhamma to (someone) who is not ill (and) who has a staff in his hand,’ is a training to be observed.”
Staff means: (the size of) four hands[1] of a man of average height. Bigger than that it is not a staff, smaller it is not a staff.[2]
Dhamma should not be taught to (someone) who has a staff in his hand (and) who is not ill. Whoever out of disrespect teaches dhamma to (someone) who has a staff in his hand (and) who is not ill, there is an offence of wrong-doing.
There is no offence if it is unintentional … if he is the first wrong-doer.