Vinaya — Regras dos Monges (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga) — Using water with living beings in it

1Origin story
At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the monks from the group of six were using water that they knew contained living beings.

2The monks of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the monks from the group of six use water that they know contains living beings?” … “Is it true, monks, that you do this?”

3“It’s true, sir.”

4The 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:

5Final ruling
‘If a monk uses water that he knows contains living beings, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

6Definitions
A:

7whoever …

8Monk:

9… 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.

10He knows:

11he knows by himself or others have told him. If he uses it, knowing that it contains living beings and knowing that they will die if the water is used, he commits an offense entailing confession.

12Permutations
If it contains living beings, and he perceives it as such, and he uses it, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it contains living beings, but he is unsure of it, and he uses it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it contains living beings, but he does not perceive it as such, and he uses it, there is no offense.

13If it does not contain living beings, but he perceives it as such, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it does not contain living beings, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it does not contain living beings, and he does not perceive it as such, there is no offense.

14Non-offenses
There is no offense: if he does not know that it contains living beings; if he knows that it does not contain living beings; if he uses it knowing that they will not die; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

15The training rule on using water with living beings in it, the second, is finished.