Dharmaguptaka Monks’ Code of Discipline (LZH-DG-BU-PM)

Sekhiya 96

A man holding a staff ought not to have the Law explained on his account, except sick.

Sekhiya 97

Nor when holding a sword.

Sekhiya 98

Nor when holding a spear, except sick.

Sekhiya 99

Nor when holding a knife, except sick.

Sekhiya 100

Nor when holding a covering of any sort, except sick.

Excellent Sirs! I have thus recited the Training laws; I now ask you all if this assembly is pure [three times.] Great Sirs! this assembly is pure! silently, therefore! so let it be.

Adhikaraṇasamatha

Excellent Sirs! these seven adhikaraṇasamatha laws, taken from the middle of the Book of Precepts, are to be recited fortnightly. If a monk be embroiled in a subject or business leading to litigation, he ought to suppress and put an end to it.

Adhikaraṇasamatha 1

If it be a case that requires the presence of the parties, let the parties be present.

Adhikaraṇasamatha 2

If the case requires thought and deliberation, let there be deliberation.

Adhikaraṇasamatha 3

If the case require plain and exact sentences, then let there be precision.

Adhikaraṇasamatha 4

If the case requires independent decision, then let there be sentence given.

Adhikaraṇasamatha 5

If the case may be decided by precedent, then let it be so decided.

Adhikaraṇasamatha 6

If the case may be decided by a majority, then let it be so.

Adhikaraṇasamatha 7

And in all cases let it be decided finally.

Excellent Sirs! I have thus repeated the seven adhikaraṇasamathas. I now demand of you all, Is thin assembly pure? [three times]. Brethren! this assembly is pure; silently, therefore, ye stand. So let it be.

Conclusion

Worthy Sirs! I have thus recited the Preface to the Sutra of Precepts; I have repeated the four Pārājika rules, the thirteen Saṅghādisesa rules, the two Aniyata rules, the thirty Nissagiya-pācittiya rules, the ninety Pācittiya rules the four Pātidesanīya rules, the one hundred Sekhiya rules, the seven Adhikaraṇasamatha rules. These, all taken from the Sutra of Precepts, are those which Buddha has declared ought to be repeated fortnightly. If there be any other laws of Buddha not herein contained, this assembly is well agreed, they ought to be observed.

Translation of the Dharmaguptaka Pātimokkha (T 1429) by Samuel Beal. Published in A Catena of Buddhist Scriptures from the Chinese, London: Trubner and Co., 1871, pp. 204–239.

This translation is in the Public Domain. It is available for download from the Internet Archive.

Note by Bhikkhu Sujato: This text was prepared from the plain text version on the Internet Archive. In addition to supplying formatting, headings and the like, I have made some minor alterations to the text, such as modernizing and standardizing spelling of Pali terms, and removing remarks and Chinese terms. Note that the Chinese text includes several concluding verses, not translated by Beal.

Prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato.