Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on containing living beings

62. The training rule on containing living beings

Origin 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.

The 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?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The 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:

Final ruling

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

Definitions

A:

whoever …

Monk:

… 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.

He knows:

he 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.

Permutations

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.

If 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.

Non-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.

The training rule on containing living beings, the second, is finished.