Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time King Pasenadi of Kosala was marching out with the army, and the monks from the group of six went to see the army in action. King Pasenadi saw those monks coming, and he summoned them and said, “Venerables, why have you come here?”

“We wish to see the great king.”

“What’s the use of seeing me finding pleasure in battle? Shouldn’t you see the Master?”

And people grumbled and complained, “How can the Sakyan ascetics go to see an army in action? It’s our misfortune that we must go out with the army for the sake of our livelihood and because of our wives and children.”

The monks heard the complaints of those people, and the monks of few desires … complained and criticized those monks, “How can the monks from the group of six go to see an army in action?” … “Is it true, monks, that you did this?”

“It’s true, Master.”

The Buddha rebuked them, “… Foolish men, how can you go to see an army in action? This will not give rise to confidence in those without it … And, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk goes to see an army in action, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Master laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a certain monk had a sick uncle in the army. The uncle sent a message to that monk: “I’m with the army and I’m sick. Please come, Venerable; I want you to come.”

Knowing that the Master had laid down a rule against going to see an army in action, that monk thought, “I have an uncle in the army who is sick. What should I do?” And he told the Master. Soon afterwards the Master gave a teaching and addressed the monks, “Monks, I allow you to go to the army when there’s a suitable reason. And so, monks, this training rule should be recited thus:

Final ruling

‘If a monk goes to see an army in action, unless there is a suitable reason, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Monk: … The monk who has been given the full ordination by a complete Order through a procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is unchallengeable and fit to stand— this sort of monk is meant in this case.

An army in action: it has left the village and is either encamped or marching.

An army: elephants, horses, chariots, infantry. Each elephant has twelve men; each horse has three men; each chariot has four men; each unit of infantry has four men with arrows in hand.

If he is on his way to see it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Wherever he stands to see it, he commits an offense entailing confession. Every time he moves outside of the range of sight and then sees it again, he commits an offense entailing confession.

Unless there is a suitable reason: except if there is a suitable reason.

Permutations

If it is in action, and he perceives it as in action, and he goes to see it, unless there is a suitable reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is in action, but he is unsure if it is, and he goes to see it, unless there is a suitable reason, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is in action, but he does not perceive it as in action, and he goes to see it, unless there is a suitable reason, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If he is on his way to see one division of a fourfold army, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Wherever he stands to see it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Every time he moves outside of the range of sight and then sees it again, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is not in action, but he perceives it as in action, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is not in action, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is not in action, and he does not perceive it as in action, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if he sees it while standing in the monastery; if the army comes to where the monk happens to be standing, sitting, or lying down; if he sees it while walking in the opposite direction; if he has a suitable reason; if there are dangers; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The eighth rule, the training rule on armies in action, is finished.