1. Avippavāsapañhā1. Question on staying apart

Asaṁvāso bhikkhūhi ca bhikkhunīhi ca, sambhogo ekacco tahiṁ na labbhati;For one excluded from the community of the monks and the nuns, some interactions are unallowable— Avippavāsena anāpatti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, is there no offense for one who is not staying apart? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Avissajjiyaṁ avebhaṅgiyaṁ, pañca vuttā mahesinā;
Avissajjiyaṁ → avissajjikaṁ (si) | avissajjitaṁ (s1-3); avebhaṅgiyaṁ → avebhaṅgikaṁ (si)Of things not to be given away, nor to be shared out, five are mentioned by the Great Sage— Vissajjantassa paribhuñjantassa anāpatti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, is there no offense for using what has been given away? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Dasa puggale na vadāmi, ekādasa vivajjiya;I do not say the ten people, or the eleven to be avoided— Vuḍḍhaṁ vandantassa āpatti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, is there an offense for paying respect to one who is senior? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Na ukkhittako na ca pana pārivāsiko, na saṅghabhinno na ca pana pakkhasaṅkanto;One who has not been ejected, nor is on probation, who has not caused a schism in the Sangha, or joined another religion or sect; Samānasaṁvāsakabhūmiyā ṭhito, kathaṁ nu sikkhāya asādhāraṇo siyā;Who belongs to the same Buddhist sect— how, then, could they not share in the training? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Upeti dhammaṁ paripucchamāno, kusalaṁ atthūpasañhitaṁ;Questioning, one arrives at the Teaching, at what is wholesome and beneficial; Na jīvati na mato na nibbuto, taṁ puggalaṁ katamaṁ vadanti buddhā;One who is not alive, nor dead or extinguished— what kind of person is that, say the Buddhas? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Ubbhakkhake na vadāmi, adho nābhiṁ vivajjiya;I do not say above the collar bone, having abandoned what is below the navel; Methunadhammapaccayā, kathaṁ pārājiko siyā;Because of sexual intercourse, how might there be an offense entailing expulsion? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Bhikkhu saññācikāya kuṭiṁ karoti, adesitavatthukaṁ pamāṇātikkantaṁ;A monk, by means of begging, builds a hut, whose site has not been approved, which exceeds the right size, where harm will be done, and which lacks a space on all sides; Sārambhaṁ aparikkamanaṁ anāpatti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, does he not commit an offense? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Bhikkhu saññācikāya kuṭiṁ karoti, desitavatthukaṁ pamāṇikaṁ;A monk, by means of begging, builds a hut, whose site has been approved, which is the right size, where no harm will be done, and which has a space on all sides. Anārambhaṁ saparikkamanaṁ āpatti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, does he commit an offense? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Na kāyikaṁ kiñci payogamācare, na cāpi vācāya pare bhaṇeyya;One does not do anything by body, nor does one say anything to another; Āpajjeyya garukaṁ chejjavatthuṁ, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, does one commit a heavy offense, a ground for cutting off? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Na kāyikaṁ vācasikañca kiñci, manasāpi santo na kareyya pāpaṁ;Nothing bad by body, speech, or mind would a good person do; So nāsito kinti sunāsito bhave, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, when he is expelled, would it be right? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Anālapanto manujena kenaci, vācāgiraṁ no ca pare bhaṇeyya;Not speaking with any human, nor saying anything to others; Āpajjeyya vācasikaṁ na kāyikaṁ, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, does one commit an offense of speech, not one of body? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Sikkhāpadā buddhavarena vaṇṇitā, saṅghādisesā caturo bhaveyyuṁ;The training rules praised by the splendid Buddha include which four offenses entailing suspension; Āpajjeyya ekapayogena sabbe, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.All committed through a single effort? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Ubho ekato upasampannā, ubhinnaṁ hatthato cīvaraṁ paṭiggaṇheyya;Two nuns were ordained together, and one receives a robe directly from both; Siyā āpattiyo nānā, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.Might the offenses be different? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Caturo janā saṁvidhāya, garubhaṇḍaṁ avāharuṁ;Four people having made an arrangement, took valuable goods; Tayo pārājikā eko na pārājiko, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, did three commit an offense entailing expulsion, but one did not? this question was thought out by those with skill.

2. Pārājikādipañhā2. Questions on the offenses entailing expulsion, etc.

Itthī ca abbhantare siyā, bhikkhu ca bahiddhā siyā;The woman is within, and the monk is outside; Chiddaṁ tasmiṁ ghare natthi, methunadhammapaccayā;In that house there is no hole— then, because of sexual intercourse; Kathaṁ pārājiko siyā, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How could there be an offense entailing expulsion? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Telaṁ madhuṁ phāṇitañcāpi sappiṁ, sāmaṁ gahetvāna nikkhipeyya;Oil, honey, syrup, and ghee, having received it oneself, one stores it; Avītivatte sattāhe, sati paccaye paribhuñjantassa āpatti;Not exceeding seven days. then if one uses it, even when there is a reason, how is there an offense? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Nissaggiyena āpatti, suddhakena pācittiyaṁ;How is there an offense entailing relinquishment, and an ordinary offense entailing confession; Āpajjantassa ekato, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.Both together, for one who commits it? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Bhikkhū siyā vīsatiyā samāgatā, kammaṁ kareyyuṁ samaggasaññino;Twenty monks have come together, perceiving unity, they do a legal procedure; Bhikkhu siyā dvādasayojane ṭhito, kammañca taṁ kuppeyya vaggapaccayā;If a monk is 150 km away, how is that procedure reversible because the assembly is incomplete? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Padavītihāramattena vācāya bhaṇitena ca, sabbāni garukāni sappaṭikammāni;When, after speaking, one merely takes a single step, how would one, all at once, commit sixty-four heavy offenses; Catusaṭṭhi āpattiyo āpajjeyya ekato, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.All to be made amends for? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Nivattho antaravāsakena, diguṇaṁ saṅghāṭiṁ pāruto;Dressed in a sarong, and a double-layered upper robe— Sabbāni tāni nissaggiyāni honti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How could they all be subject to relinquishment? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Na cāpi ñatti na ca pana kammavācā, na cehi bhikkhūti jino avoca;There was no motion, nor announcement, nor had the Victor said, “Come, monk”; Saraṇagamanampi na tassa atthi, upasampadā cassa akuppā;Nor had he gone for refuge— how, then, was the ordination irreversible? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Itthiṁ hane na mātaraṁ, purisañca na pitaraṁ hane;If one kills a woman who is not one’s mother, if one kills a man who is not one’s father; Haneyya anariyaṁ mando, tena cānantaraṁ phuse;If a fool kills one who is not noble, how, because of that, would one experience the result in the next life? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Itthiṁ hane ca mātaraṁ, purisañca pitaraṁ hane;If one kills a woman who is one’s mother, if one kills a man who is one’s father; Mātaraṁ pitaraṁ hantvā, na tenānantaraṁ phuse;How, having done this, does one not experience the result in the next life? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Acodayitvā assārayitvā, asammukhībhūtassa kareyya kammaṁ;If, without accusing, without reminding, they do a legal procedure, but not face-to-face— Katañca kammaṁ sukataṁ bhaveyya, kārako ca saṅgho anāpattiko siyā;How could the procedure be valid, and the Sangha not have committed an offense? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Codayitvā sārayitvā, sammukhībhūtassa kareyya kammaṁ;If, after accusing and reminding, they do a legal procedure face-to-face— Katañca kammaṁ akataṁ bhaveyya, kārako ca saṅgho sāpattiko siyā;How could the procedure be invalid, and the Sangha have committed an offense? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Chindantassa āpatti, chindantassa anāpatti;How is there an offense for cutting? yet no offense for cutting? Chādentassa āpatti, chādentassa anāpatti;How is there an offense for concealing? yet no offense for concealing? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Saccaṁ bhaṇanto garukaṁ, musā ca lahu bhāsato;How is speaking the truth a heavy offense, while lying is a light one? Musā bhaṇanto garukaṁ, saccañca lahu bhāsato;And how is lying a heavy offense, while speaking the truth is a light one? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

3. Pācittiyādipañhā3. Questions on the offenses entailing confession, etc.

Adhiṭṭhitaṁ rajanāya rattaṁ, kappakatampi santaṁ;It is determined and dyed, and also marked; Paribhuñjantassa āpatti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How is there an offense for using it? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Atthaṅgate sūriye bhikkhu maṁsāni khādati, na ummattako na ca pana khittacitto;A monk eats meat after sunset, and is neither insane nor deranged; Na cāpi so vedanāṭṭo bhaveyya, na cassa hoti āpatti;Nor overwhelmed by pain— how, then, is there no offense for him, So ca dhammo sugatena desito, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.Yet a rule was taught by the Accomplished One? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Na rattacitto na ca pana theyyacitto, na cāpi so paraṁ maraṇāya cetayi;One is neither lustful nor intent on stealing, nor intent on killing another; Salākaṁ dentassa hoti chejjaṁ, paṭiggaṇhantassa thullaccayaṁ;How, then, in giving out a ballot is one cut off? and how does the receiver commit a serious offense? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Na cāpi āraññakaṁ sāsaṅkasammataṁ, na cāpi saṅghena sammuti dinnā;It is not a risky wilderness dwelling, nor was his robe given by the Sangha; Na cassa kathinaṁ atthataṁ tattheva, cīvaraṁ nikkhipitvā gaccheyya aḍḍhayojanaṁ;Nor did he participate in the robe-making ceremony there— how, then, if he stores the robe and then travels 6 kilometers, Tattheva aruṇaṁ uggacchantassa anāpatti, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.Is there no offense at dawn? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Kāyikāni na vācasikāni, sabbāni nānāvatthukāni;Done by body, not by speech, all with different bases for the offense; Apubbaṁ acarimaṁ āpajjeyya ekato, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, does one commit them all together at the same time? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Vācasikāni na kāyikāni, sabbāni nānāvatthukāni;Done by speech, not by body, all with different bases for the offense; Apubbaṁ acarimaṁ āpajjeyya ekato, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How, then, does one commit them all together at the same time? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Tissitthiyo methunaṁ taṁ na seve, tayo purise tayo anariyapaṇḍake;One does not have sex with three kinds of women, nor with three kinds of men, three kinds of ignoble ones, or paṇḍakas, Na cācare methunaṁ byañjanasmiṁ, chejjaṁ siyā methunadhammapaccayā;As stated in the rule— how, then, might one still be cut off conditioned by sexual intercourse? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Mātaraṁ cīvaraṁ yāce, no ca saṅghe pariṇataṁ;
ca saṅghe → no ca saṅghassa (bj, s1) | no ce saṅghassa (si) | no saṅghassa (pts1, mr)One might ask one’s mother for robe-cloth, and it was not intended for the Sangha; Kenassa hoti āpatti, anāpatti ca ñātake;How, then, is there an offense for one, if there is no offense in regard to one’s relatives? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Kuddho ārādhako hoti, kuddho hoti garahiyo;One angry person is approved of, one angry person is blamed; Atha ko nāma so dhammo, yena kuddho pasaṁsiyo;What is the name of that rule, in which an angry person is praised? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Tuṭṭho ārādhako hoti, tuṭṭho hoti garahiyo;One contented person is approved of, one contented person is blamed; Atha ko nāma so dhammo, yena tuṭṭho garahiyo;What is the name of that rule, in which a contented person is blamed? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Saṅghādisesaṁ thullaccayaṁ, pācittiyaṁ pāṭidesanīyaṁ;An offense entailing suspension, a serious offense, an offense entailing confession, one entailing acknowledgment, and one of wrong conduct— Dukkaṭaṁ āpajjeyya ekato, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.How does one commit all together? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Ubho paripuṇṇavīsativassā, ubhinnaṁ ekupajjhāyo;Both are over twenty years old, both have the same preceptor, Ekācariyo ekā kammavācā, eko upasampanno eko anupasampanno;The same teacher, the same ordination procedure— how, then, is it that one is ordained, but not the other? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Akappakataṁ nāpi rajanāya rattaṁ, tena nivattho yena kāmaṁ vajeyya;It is neither marked nor dyed, yet wearing that sarong one may go where one likes— Na cassa hoti āpatti, so ca dhammo sugatena desito;How is there no offense for that person, yet a rule was taught by the Accomplished One? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Na deti na paṭiggaṇhāti, paṭiggaho tena na vijjati;She neither gives nor receives, because of that there is no recipient; Āpajjati garukaṁ na lahukaṁ, tañca paribhogapaccayā;How, then, does she commit a heavy offense, not a light one, because of using? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Na deti na paṭiggaṇhāti, paṭiggaho tena na vijjati;She neither gives nor receives, because of that there is no recipient; Āpajjati lahukaṁ na garukaṁ, tañca paribhogapaccayā;How, then, does she commit a light offense, not a heavy one, because of using? Pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.This question was thought out by those with skill.

Āpajjati garukaṁ sāvasesaṁ, chādeti anādariyaṁ paṭicca;One commits a curable heavy offense, one conceals it out of disrespect; Na bhikkhunī no ca phuseyya vajjaṁ, pañhā mesā kusalehi cintitā.If it was not a nun, how is it that one is not affected by the fault? this question was thought out by those with skill.

Sedamocanagāthā niṭṭhitā.The sudorific verses are finished.

TassuddānaṁThis is the summary:

Asaṁvāso avissajji, dasa ca anukkhittako;“Excluded from the community, not to be given away, and ten, one who has not been ejected; Upeti dhammaṁ ubbhakkhakaṁ, tato saññācikā ca dve.One arrives at the Teaching, above the collar bone, and then two on begging.

Na kāyikañca garukaṁ, na kāyikaṁ na vācasikaṁ;
na kāyikaṁ na vācasikaṁ → kāyikaṁ subhāsitaṁ (bj) | na kāyikaṁ sunāsitaṁ (s1-3)And heavy offense by body, not by body or speech; Anālapanto sikkhā ca, ubho ca caturo janā.Not speaking, and training, and two, four people.

Itthī telañca nissaggi, bhikkhu ca padavītiyo;Woman, and oil, relinquishment, and monks, a single step; Nivattho ca na ca ñatti, na mātaraṁ pitaraṁ hane.And dressed in a sarong, and no motion, if one kills not one’s mother, if one kills one’s father.

Acodayitvā codayitvā, chindantaṁ saccameva ca;Without accusing, after accusing, cutting, and the truth; Adhiṭṭhitañcatthaṅgate, na rattaṁ na cāraññakaṁ.And determined, after sunset, neither lustful, and not the wilderness.

Kāyikā vācasikā ca, tissitthī cāpi mātaraṁ;By body, and by speech, and three kinds of women, mother; Kuddho ārādhako tuṭṭho, saṅghādisesā ca ubho.An angry person who is approved of, contented, and an offense entailing suspension, both.

Akappakataṁ na deti, na detāpajjatī garuṁ;Not marked, she neither gives, she neither gives, one commits a heavy offense— Sedamocanikā gāthā, pañhā viññūhi vibhāvitāti.
viññūhi vibhāvitāti → viññūvibhāvitāti (bj, s1-3, pts1)The sudorific verses: questions explained by the wise.”