Vinaya — Regras dos Monges (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga) — Matchmaking

1First substory
At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, Venerable Udāyī was associating with and visiting a number of families in Sāvatthī.

2When Udāyī saw a young man without a wife and a young woman without a husband, he would praise the young woman to the parents of the young man, “The young woman of such-and-such a family is beautiful, intelligent, skilled, and diligent. She’s suitable for your son.” They would reply, “They don’t know who we are, venerable. If you could persuade them to give the girl, we would take her for our son.”

3And he praised the young man to the parents of the young woman, “The young man of such-and-such a family is handsome, intelligent, skilled, and diligent. He’s suitable for your daughter.” They would reply, “They don’t know who we are, venerable, and we would be ashamed to speak to them for the sake of the girl. But if you could persuade them to ask us, we would give our girl to the young man.” In this way he arranged for the taking of a bride, for the giving of a bride, and for marriage.

4At that time there was a former courtesan who had a beautiful daughter. On one occasion some lay followers of the Ājīvaka religion came from another village and said to that courtesan, “Ma’am, please give your girl to our boy.”

5“I don’t know who you are, sirs, and I won’t give my only daughter to be taken to another village.”

6People asked those Ājīvaka lay followers why they had come. They replied, “We came to ask that courtesan to give her daughter to our son, but she refused.”

7“But why did you ask the courtesan? You should speak to Venerable Udāyī. He’ll persuade her.”

8They then went to Udāyī and said, “Venerable, we’ve asked that courtesan here to give her daughter to our son, but she refused. Would you please persuade her to give her daughter?”

9Udāyī agreed. Soon afterwards he went to that courtesan and said, “Why didn’t you give them your daughter?”

10“I don’t know who they are, sir, and I won’t give my only daughter to be taken to another village.”

11“Please give her to them. I know them.”

12“If you know them, I’ll give her away.”

13She then gave her daughter to those Ājīvaka followers, and they took her away. For a month they treated her like a daughter-in-law, but then like a slave.

14The girl sent a message to her mother, saying, “Mom, I’m unhappy and miserable. For a month they treated me like a daughter-in-law, but then like a slave. Come, mom, and take me home.”

15Soon afterwards the courtesan went to those Ājīvakas and said, “Please don’t treat my girl like a slave; treat her properly!”

16They replied, “We deal with the monastic, not with you. Go away! We don’t want anything to do with you.” Being dismissed, she returned to Sāvatthī.

17A second time the girl sent the same message to her mother. That courtesan then went to Udāyī and said, “Venerable, my girl is unhappy and miserable. They treated her like a daughter-in-law for a month, but then like a slave. Please tell them to treat her properly.”

18Udāyī went to the Ājīvakas and said, “Please don’t treat this girl like a slave; treat her properly.”

19They replied, “We deal with the courtesan, not with you. A monastic shouldn’t get involved. You should behave like a proper monastic. So go away! We don’t want anything to do with you.” Being dismissed, he returned to Sāvatthī.

20A third time that girl sent the same message to her mother, and a second time the courtesan went to Udāyī and told him the same thing.

21He replied, “When I first went, they just dismissed me. Go yourself; I’m not going.”

22Then that courtesan complained and criticized him, “May Venerable Udāyī be miserable and unhappy, just as my girl is miserable and unhappy because of her nasty mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband.”

23The girl, too, complained and criticized him in the same way,

24as did other women who were unhappy with their mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, and husbands.

25But those women who were happy with their in-laws wished him well, saying, “May Venerable Udāyī be happy and well, just as we are happy and well because of our good mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, and husbands.”

26The monks heard that some women were criticizing him whereas others were wishing him well. And the monks of few desires complained and criticized him, “How can Venerable Udāyī act as a matchmaker?”

27They told the Buddha. The Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned Udāyī: “Is it true, Udāyī, that you do this?”

28“It’s true, sir.”

29The Buddha rebuked him … “Foolish man, how can you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

30Preliminary ruling
‘If a monk acts as a matchmaker, conveying a man’s intention to a woman or a woman’s intention to a man, for marriage or for an affair, he commits an offense entailing suspension.’”

31In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

32Second substory
Soon afterwards a number of scoundrels who were enjoying themselves in a park sent a messenger to a sex worker, saying, “Please come, let’s enjoy ourselves in the park.”

33She replied, “Sirs, I don’t know who you are. I’m wealthy. I don’t want to go outside the city.”

34The messenger returned the message. A certain man then said to those men, “Why did you ask the sex worker? You should speak to Venerable Udāyī. He’ll persuade her.”

35But a certain Buddhist lay follower said, “No way. That’s not allowable for the Sakyan monastics. He won’t do it.” And they made a bet on whether he would.

36Those scoundrels then went to Udāyī and said, “Venerable, while we were enjoying ourselves in the park, we sent a message to such-and-such a sex worker, asking her to come, but she refused. Would you please persuade her?”

37Udāyī agreed. He then went to that sex worker and said, “Why don’t you go to those men?”

38She told him why.

39“Please go. I know them.”

40“If you know them, sir, I’ll go.” And those men took her to the park.

41Then that lay follower complained and criticized him, “How could Venerable Udāyī act as a matchmaker for a brief affair?”

42The monks heard it, and the monks of few desires complained and criticized him, “How could Venerable Udāyī act as a matchmaker for a brief affair?”

43They rebuked Udāyī in many ways and then told the Buddha. Soon afterwards he had the Sangha gathered and questioned Udāyī: “Is it true, Udāyī, that you did this?”

44“It’s true, sir.”

45The Buddha rebuked him … “Foolish man, how could you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

46Final ruling
‘If a monk acts as a matchmaker, conveying a man’s intention to a woman or a woman’s intention to a man, for marriage or for an affair, even if just a brief one, he commits an offense entailing suspension.’”

47Definitions
A:

48whoever …

49Monk:

50… 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.

51Acts as a matchmaker, conveying:

52sent by a woman he goes to a man, or sent by a man he goes to a woman.

53A man’s intention to a woman:

54he informs a woman of a man’s intention.

55A woman’s intention to a man:

56he informs a man of a woman’s intention.

57For marriage:

58“You should be his wife.”

59For an affair:

60“You should be his mistress.”

61Even if just a brief one:

62“You will have a short relationship.”

63He commits an offense entailing suspension:

64… Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension.

65Summary
There are ten kinds of women: the one protected by her mother, the one protected by her father, the one protected by her parents, the one protected by her brother, the one protected by her sister, the one protected by her relatives, the one protected by her family, the one protected by her religion, the one otherwise protected, the one protected by the threat of punishment.

66There are ten kinds of wives: the bought wife, the wife by choice, the wife through property, the wife through clothes, the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual, the wife through removing the head pad, the slave wife, the servant wife, the captured wife, the momentary wife.

67Definitions
The one protected by her mother:

68her mother protects, guards, wields authority, controls.

69The one protected by her father:

70her father protects, guards, wields authority, controls.

71The one protected by her parents:

72her parents protect, guard, wield authority, control.

73The one protected by her brother:

74her brother protects, guards, wields authority, controls.

75The one protected by her sister:

76her sister protects, guards, wields authority, controls.

77The one protected by her relatives:

78her relatives protect, guard, wield authority, control.

79The one protected by her family:

80her family protects, guards, wields authority, controls.

81The one protected by her religion:

82her fellow believers protect, guard, wield authority, control.

83The one otherwise protected:

84even in the womb someone takes possession of her, thinking, “She is mine,” and so too for one engaged to be married.

85The one protected by the threat of punishment:

86those who punish will punish anyone going to her with a fixed punishment.

87The bought wife:

88after buying her with money, they live together.

89The wife by choice:

90being dear to each other, they live together.

91The wife through property:

92after giving property, they live together.

93The wife through clothes:

94after giving clothes, they live together.

95The wife through the bowl-of-water ritual:

96after touching a bowl of water, they live together.

97The wife through removing the head pad:

98after removing the head pad, they live together.

99The slave wife:

100she is a slave and a wife.

101The servant wife:

102she is a servant and a wife.

103The captured wife:

104one brought back as a captive is what is meant.

105The momentary wife:

106a wife for one occasion is what is meant.

107Acting as a matchmaker for a man and a single bought wife
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

108A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and say … so-and-so protected by her parents and say … so-and-so protected by her brother and say … so-and-so protected by her sister and say … so-and-so protected by her relatives and say … so-and-so protected by her family and say … so-and-so protected by her religion and say … so-and-so otherwise protected and say … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

109The setting out of the steps is finished.

110Acting as a matchmaker for a man and two bought wives
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

111A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

112The unconnected permutation series is finished.

113A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

114A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

115A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

116The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

117… A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

118A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her father … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so otherwise protected and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

119The section based on one item is finished.

120Acting as a matchmaker for a man and three to nine bought wives
The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

121Acting as a matchmaker for a man and ten bought wives
This is the section based on ten items:

122A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and so-and-so protected by her brother and so-and-so protected by her sister and so-and-so protected by her relatives and so-and-so protected by her family and so-and-so protected by her religion and so-and-so otherwise protected and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

123The permutation series on bought wives is finished.

124Acting as a matchmaker for a man and other kinds of wives
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

125Acting as a matchmaker for a man and a single momentary wife
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and say … so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

126The setting out of the steps is finished.

127Acting as a matchmaker for a man and two momentary wives
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

128A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

129The unconnected permutation series is finished.

130A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

131A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

132A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

133The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

134A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

135A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so protected by her father … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and so-and-so otherwise protected and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

136The section based on one item is finished.

137Acting as a matchmaker for a man and three to nine momentary wives
The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

138Acting as a matchmaker for a man and ten momentary wives
This is the section based on ten items:

139A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and so-and-so protected by her brother and so-and-so protected by her sister and so-and-so protected by her relatives and so-and-so protected by her family and so-and-so protected by her religion and so-and-so otherwise protected and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

140The permutation series on momentary wives is finished.

141Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: a single reason
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

142A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

143The setting out of the steps is finished.

144Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: combinations of two reasons
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

145A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the bought wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

146The unconnected permutation series is finished.

147A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice and the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

148The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

149A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the momentary wife and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the captured wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

150The section based on one item is finished.

151Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: combinations of three to nine reasons
The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

152Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by her mother: ten reasons
This is the section based on ten items:

153A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice and the wife through property and the wife through clothes and the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and the wife through removing the head pad and the slave wife and the servant wife and the captured wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

154The permutation series on the one guarded by her mother is finished.

155Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected in various ways: a single reason
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her father … so-and-so protected by her parents … so-and-so protected by her brother … so-and-so protected by her sister … so-and-so protected by her relatives … so-and-so protected by her family … so-and-so protected by her religion … so-and-so otherwise protected … so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

156Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: a single reason
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife through clothes of so-and-so.’” … the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual of so-and-so.’” … the wife through removing the head pad of so-and-so.’” … the slave wife of so-and-so.’” … the servant wife of so-and-so.’” … the captured wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

157The setting out of the steps is finished.

158Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: combinations of two reasons
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

159A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife through property of so-and-so … the bought wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

160The unconnected permutation series is finished.

161A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the wife by choice and the wife through property of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” … the wife by choice and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

162The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

163A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the momentary wife and the bought wife of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the wife by choice of so-and-so.’” … the momentary wife and the captured wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

164The section based on one item is finished.

165Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: combinations of three to nine reasons
The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

166Acting as a matchmaker for a man and one protected by the threat of punishment: ten reasons
This is the section based on ten items:

167A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wife and the wife by choice and the wife through property and the wife through clothes and the wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and the wife through removing the head pad and the slave wife and the servant wife and the captured wife and the momentary wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

168The permutation series for the one protected by the threat of punishment is finished.

169Incremental increase in both wives and reasons
A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and say, ‘Please be the bought wife of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

170A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and say, ‘Please be the bought wives and the wives by choice of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

171A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and say, ‘Please be the bought wives and the wives by choice and the wives through property of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

172In this way the increase of both items is to be done.

173A man sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so protected by her mother and so-and-so protected by her father and so-and-so protected by her parents and so-and-so protected by her brother and so-and-so protected by her sister and so-and-so protected by her relatives and so-and-so protected by her family and so-and-so protected by her religion and so-and-so otherwise protected and so-and-so protected by the threat of punishment and say, ‘Please be the bought wives and the wives by choice and the wives through property and the wives through clothes and the wives through the bowl-of-water ritual and the wives through removing the head pad and the slave wives and the servant wives and the captured wives and the momentary wives of so-and-so.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

174The increase of both items is finished.

175Relationships arranged for a man
A man’s mother sends a monk … A man’s father sends a monk … A man’s parents send a monk … A man’s brother sends a monk … A man’s sister sends a monk … A man’s relatives send a monk … A man’s family sends a monk … A man’s fellow believers send a monk …

176To be expanded as for the successive series on a man.

177The increase of both items is to be expanded as before.

178Relationships arranged by the mother: a single reason
The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

179The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice.’” … your wife through property.’” … your wife through clothes.’” … your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.’” … your wife through removing the head pad.’” … your slave wife.’” … your servant wife.’” … your captured wife.’” … your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

180The setting out of the steps is finished.

181Relationships arranged by the mother: combinations of two reasons
The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice.’” … your bought wife and your wife through property.’” … your bought wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

182The unconnected permutation series is finished.

183The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice and your wife through property.’” … your wife by choice and your momentary wife.’” … your wife by choice and your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

184The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

185The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your momentary wife and your bought wife.’” … your momentary wife and your wife by choice.’” … your momentary wife and your captured wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

186The section based on one item is finished.

187Relationships arranged by the mother: combinations of three to nine reasons
The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

188Relationships arranged by the mother: ten reasons
This is the section based on ten items:

189The mother of one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice and your wife through property and your wife through clothes and your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and your wife through removing the head pad and your slave wife and your servant wife and your captured wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

190The permutation series on the mother is finished.

191Relationships arranged by various people: a single reason
The father of one protected by her father sends a monk … The parents of one protected by her parents send a monk … The brother of one protected by her brother sends a monk … The sister of one protected by her sister sends a monk … The relatives of one protected by her relatives send a monk … The family of one protected by her family sends a monk … The fellow believers of one protected by her religion send a monk … The master of one otherwise protected sends a monk … The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

192Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: a single reason
The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice.’” … your wife through property.’” … your wife through clothes.’” … your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.’” … your wife through removing the head pad.’” … your slave wife.’” … your servant wife.’” … your captured wife.’” … your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

193The setting out of the steps is finished.

194Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: two reasons
The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice.’” … your bought wife and your wife through property.’” … your bought wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

195The unconnected permutation series is finished.

196The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your wife by choice and your wife through property.’” … your wife by choice and your momentary wife.’” … your wife by choice and your bought wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

197The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

198The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your momentary wife and your bought wife.’” … who can be your momentary wife and your wife by choice.’” … who can be your momentary wife and your captured wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

199The section based on one item is finished.

200Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: three to nine reasons
The sections based on two items, three items, up to nine items, are to be done in the same way.

201Relationships arranged by the one who punishes: ten reasons
This is the section based on ten items:

202The one who punishes in relation to one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say, ‘I have a wife for you who can be your bought wife and your wife by choice and your wife through property and your wife through clothes and your wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and your wife through removing the head pad and your slave wife and your servant wife and your captured wife and your momentary wife.’” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

203The permutation series on the one who punishes is finished.

204The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: a single reason
The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

205The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice.” … his wife through property.” … his wife through clothes.” … his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.” … his wife through removing the head pad.” … his slave wife.” … his servant wife.” … his captured wife.” … his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

206The setting out of the steps is finished.

207The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: two reasons
The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

208The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife through property.” … his bought wife and his wife through clothes.” … his bought wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

209The unconnected permutation series is finished.

210The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice and his wife through property.” … his wife by choice and his momentary wife.” … his wife by choice and his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

211The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

212The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his momentary wife and his bought wife.” … his momentary wife and his wife by choice.” … his momentary wife and his captured wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

213The section based on one item is finished.

214The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: three to nine reasons
The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

215The one protected by her mother taking the initiative: ten reasons
This is the section based on ten items:

216The one protected by her mother sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice and his wife through property and his wife through clothes and his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and his wife through removing the head pad and his slave wife and his servant wife and his captured wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

217The further permutation series on the one guarded by her mother is finished.

218The ones protected by various people taking the initiative: a single reason
The one protected by her father sends a monk … The one protected by her parents sends a monk … The one protected by her brother sends a monk … The one protected by her sister sends a monk … The one protected by her relatives sends a monk … The one protected by her family sends a monk … The one protected by her religion sends a monk … The one otherwise protected sends a monk … The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

219The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: a single reason
The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice.” … his wife through property.” … his wife through clothes.” … his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual.” … his wife through removing the head pad.” … his slave wife.” … his servant wife.” … his captured wife.” … his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

220The setting out of the steps is finished.

221The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: two reasons
The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice.” … his bought wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

222The unconnected permutation series is finished.

223The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his wife by choice and his wife through property.” … his wife by choice and his momentary wife.” … his wife by choice and his bought wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

224The linked permutation series with the basis in brief is finished.

225The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his momentary wife and his bought wife.” … his momentary wife and his wife by choice.” … his momentary wife and his captured wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

226The section based on one item is finished.

227The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: three to nine reasons
The sections based on two items, etc., are to be done in the same way.

228The one protected by the threat of punishment taking the initiative: ten reasons
This is the section based on ten items:

229The one protected by the threat of punishment sends a monk, saying, “Sir, go to so-and-so and say that I’ll be his bought wife and his wife by choice and his wife through property and his wife through clothes and his wife through the bowl-of-water ritual and his wife through removing the head pad and his slave wife and his servant wife and his captured wife and his momentary wife.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

230The further permutation series on the one protected by the threat of punishment is finished.

231The whole successive permutation series is finished.

232Permutations part 2
If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension. If he accepts the mission, and finds out the response, but does not report back, he commits a serious offense. If he accepts the mission, but does not find out the response, yet reports back, he commits a serious offense. If he accepts the mission, but neither finds out the response, nor reports back, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he does not accept the mission, yet finds out the response and reports back, he commits a serious offense. If he does not accept the mission, yet finds out the response, but does not report back, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he neither accepts the mission, nor finds out the response, yet reports back, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he does not accept the mission, nor finds out the response, nor reports back, there is no offense.

233A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, all find out the response, and all report back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

234A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, all find out the response, but only one reports back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

235A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, but only one finds out the response, yet all report back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

236A man tells a number of monks, “Venerables, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If they all accept the mission, but only one finds out the response, and only one reports back, they all commit an offense entailing suspension.

237A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, and reports back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

238A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, finds out the response, but gets a pupil to report back, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

239A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, but gets a pupil to find out the response, and then reports back himself, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

240A man tells a monk, “Sir, find out about such-and-such a woman.” If he accepts the mission, but gets a pupil to find out the response, and the pupil then reports back on his own initiative, they both commit a serious offense.

241Permutations part 3
If he fulfills the agreement when he goes, but not when he returns, he commits a serious offense.

242If he does not fulfill the agreement when he goes, but he does when he returns, he commits a serious offense.

243If he fulfills the agreement both when he goes and when he returns, he commits an offense entailing suspension.

244If he neither fulfills the agreement when he goes nor when he returns, there is no offense.

245Non-offenses
There is no offense: if he goes because of business for the Sangha, for a shrine, or for one who is sick; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

246Summary verses of case studies

247“Asleep, and dead, gone out,
Not a woman, a woman who lacks sexual organs;
He reconciled them after quarreling,
And he was a matchmaker for <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍakas</i>.”

248Case studies
At one time a man told a monk, “Sir, please find out about such-and-such a woman.” When the monk got there, he asked some people, “Where’s so-and-so?”

249“She’s asleep, venerable.”

250He became anxious, thinking, “The Buddha has laid down a training rule. Could it be that I’ve committed an offense entailing suspension?” He told the Buddha, who said, “There’s no offense entailing suspension, but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

251At one time a man told a monk, “Sir, please find out about such-and-such a woman.” When the monk got there, he asked some people, “Where’s so-and-so?”

252“She’s dead, venerable.” … “She’s gone out, venerable.” … “That’s not a woman, venerable.” … “That’s a woman who lacks sexual organs, venerable.”

253He became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing suspension, but there’s an offense of wrong conduct.”

254At one time a certain woman quarreled with her husband and went to her mother’s house. A monk who associated with that family reconciled them. He became anxious … “Were they divorced, monk?”

255“No, sir.”

256“There’s no offense if they’re not divorced.”

257At one time a monk acted as a matchmaker for <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍakas</i>. He became anxious … “There’s no offense entailing suspension, but there’s a serious offense.”

258The training rule on matchmaking, the fifth, is finished.