[reload all]
[simple read]

Mv VI 02
PTS: Mv VI 3 | CS: vin.mv.06.02
Mūlādibhesajjakathā
Discussion of Root-medicine, etc.[1]
by
Ven. Khematto Bhikkhu
Alternate translations/layout: 'line by line' Pāḷi - English

(Mv.VI.3.1) [28] Now at that time the sick monks needed root-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow root-medicines — i.e., turmeric, ginger, sweet flag, white orris root, ativisa, black hellebore, khus-khus, nut-grass, or whatever other roots are medicines and do not serve, among non-staple food, the purpose of non-staple food; or, among staple food, the purpose of staple food. Having accepted them, one may keep them for life and, when there is reason, consume them.

“If there is no reason, there is an offense of wrong doing for one who consumes it.”

(Mv.VI.3.2) Now at that time the sick monks needed ground root-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow a grindstone and a grinding wheel.”

(Mv.VI.4.1) [29] Now at that time the sick monks needed astringent-decoction medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow astringent-decoction medicines — i.e., astringent decoctions from the neem-tree, from the kuṭaja, from the pakkava, from the nattamāla, or whatever other astringent decoctions are medicines and do not serve, among non-staple food, the purpose of non-staple food; or, among staple food, the purpose of staple food. Having accepted them, one may keep them for life and, when there is reason, consume them.

“If there is no reason, there is an offense of wrong doing for one who consumes it.”

(Mv.VI.5.1) [30] Now at that time the sick monks needed leaf-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow leaf-medicines — i.e., neem leaves, kuṭaja leaves, cucumber leaves, basil leaves, cotton tree leaves, or whatever other leaves are medicines and do not serve, among non-staple food, the purpose of non-staple food; or, among staple food, the purpose of staple food. Having accepted them, one may keep them for life and, when there is reason, consume them.

“If there is no reason, there is an offense of wrong doing for one who consumes it.”

(Mv.VI.6.1) [31] Now at that time the sick monks needed fruit-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow fruit-medicines — i.e., vilaṅga, long pepper, black pepper, yellow myrobalan, beleric myrobalan, embric myrobalan, goṭha, or whatever other fruits are medicines and do not serve, among non-staple food, the purpose of non-staple food; or, among staple food, the purpose of staple food. Having accepted them, one may keep them for life and, when there is reason, consume them.

“If there is no reason, there is an offense of wrong doing for one who consumes it.”

(Mv.VI.7.1) [32] Now at that time the sick monks needed resin-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow resin-medicines — i.e., assafoetida, assafoetida-resin, assafoetida-gum, gum, gum-patti, gum-panni, or whatever other resins are medicines and do not serve, among non-staple food, the purpose of non-staple food; or, among staple food, the purpose of staple food. Having accepted them, one may keep them for life and, when there is reason, consume them.

“If there is no reason, there is an offense of wrong doing for one who consumes it.”

(Mv.VI.8.1) [33] Now at that time the sick monks needed salt-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow salt-medicines — i.e., sea salt, black salt, rock salt, culinary salt, red salt, or whatever other salts are medicines and do not serve, among non-staple food, the purpose of non-staple food; or, among staple food, the purpose of staple food. Having accepted them, one may keep them for life and, when there is reason, consume them. [2]

“If there is no reason, there is an offense of wrong doing for one who consumes it.”

(Mv.VI.9.1) [34] Now at that time Ven. Ānanda’s preceptor, Velaṭṭhasīsa, had small pox/chicken poxpox [3]. His robes stuck to his body because of the discharge. Repeatedly wetting them with water, the monks pulled them off. Then the Blessed One, wandering on a tour of the lodgings, saw the monks repeatedly wetting those robes with water and pulling them off. On seeing them, he went to the monks and, on arrival, said to them, “What is this monk’s illness?”

“Lord, this venerable one has a small pox/chicken poxpox. His robes stick to his body because of the discharge. Wetting them repeatedly, we are pulling them off.”

(Mv.VI.9.2) Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow powders as medicines for one who has an itch, a small boil, a running sore, or small pox/chicken poxpox; or for one whose body smells bad; I allow (powdered) dung, clay, and dye-dregs for one who is not sick. I allow a pestle and mortar.”

(Mv.VI.10.1) [35] Now at that time the sick monks needed sifted powder-medicine. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a powder sifter.”

They needed it fine.

“Monks, I allow a cloth sifter.”

(Mv.VI.10.2) [36] Now at that time a certain monk was possessed by non-human beings. His preceptor and teacher, tending to him, could not make him well. Having gone to a pig-slaughterhouse, he ate raw meat and drank raw blood. His possession by non-human beings subsided. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow, in the case of possession by non-human beings, raw flesh and raw blood.”[4]

(Mv.VI.11.1) [37] Now on that occasion a certain monk was sick with an eye-disease. The monks, taking hold of him, helped him urinate and defecate. [i.e., They had to lead him.] Then the Blessed One, wandering on a tour of the lodgings, saw the monks, having taken hold of the monk, making him urinate and defecate. On seeing them, he went to the monks and, on arrival, said to them, “Monks, what is this monk’s illness?” [cf Mv.5]

(Mv.VI.11.2) “Lord, this venerable one is sick with an eye-disease: Having taken hold of him, we are making him urinate and defecate.

Then the Blessed One, having given a Dhamma talk with regard to this cause, to this incident, addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow (eye) ointments: black collyrium ointment, rasa-ointment, sota-ointment, yellow orpiment, lamp-black.”[5]

They needed powdered (eye) ointments. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow sandalwood, tagara, benzoin gum, tālīsa, nut-grass.”

(Mv.VI.12.1) Now at that time the monks kept the ground ointment in bowls and cups. It became sprinkled (contaminated) with grass powder and dust. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow an ointment box.”

Now at that time the Group-of-six monks used fancy ointment-boxes, made of gold or silver. People criticized and complained and spread it about: “Just like householders who partake of sensuality.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, one should not use fancy ointment boxes. Whoever does: an offense of wrong doing.

“I allow (ointment boxes) made of bone, ivory, horn, reed, bamboo, wood, lac (resin), fruit (e.g., coconut shell), copper (metal), or conch-shell.”

(Mv.VI.12.2) Now at that time the ointment-boxes were open. (The ointment) became sprinkled (contaminated) with grass powder and dust. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a lid.”

The lid fell off.

“Monks, I allow, having tied it with thread/string, to tie it to the ointment-box.”

An ointment box became split.

“Monks, I allow it to be bound together with thread/string.”

(Mv.VI.12.3) Now at that time the monks applied the ointment with their fingers. Their eyes hurt. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow an ointment-stick.”

Now at that time the Group-of-six monks used fancy ointment-sticks, made of gold or silver. People criticized and complained and spread it about: “Just like householders who partake of sensuality.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, one should not use fancy ointment sticks. Whoever does: an offense of wrong doing.

“I allow (ointment sticks) made of bone, ivory, horn, … or conch-shell.”

(Mv.VI.12.4) Now at that time the ointment-sticks fell on the ground and became rough. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow a case for (ointment) sticks.”[6]

Now at that time the monks carried the ointment-boxes and ointment-sticks around in their hands. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a bag for the ointment box.”

There was no carrying strap. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a string for tying the mouth of the bag as a carrying strap.”

(Mv.VI.13.1) [38] Now at that time Ven. Pilindavaccha’s head was feverish. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow oil for the head.”

It didn’t improve. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow treatment through the nose.”

The nose-(treatment) dripped out. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a nose-tube (or nose-spoon).”

Now at that time the Group-of-six monks used fancy nose-tubes, made of gold or silver. People criticized and complained and spread it about: “Just like householders who partake of sensuality.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, one should not use fancy nose tubes. Whoever does: an offense of wrong doing.

“Monks, I allow (nose tubes) made of bone, … or conch-shell.”

(Mv.VI.13.2) The nose was unevenly moistened. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a double nose-tube.”

It didn’t improve. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that smoke be inhaled.”

Having lit the wick, they inhaled. Their throats were burned. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a tube for inhaling smoke.”

Now at that time the Group-of-six monks used fancy tubes for inhaling smoke, made of gold or silver. People criticized and complained and spread it about: “Just like householders who partake of sensuality.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“One should not use fancy smoke-inhaling tubes. Whoever does: an offense of wrong doing.

“Monks, I allow (smoke-inhaling tubes) made of bone, … or conch-shell.”

Now at that time the smoke-inhaling tubes were open. Insects entered them. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a lid.”

Now at that time the monks carried the smoke-inhaling tubes around in their hands. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a bag for the smoke-inhaling tubes.”

(Being carried) together, they banged (against each other). or: They banged together. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a double bag.”

There was no carrying strap. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a string for tying the mouth of the bag as a carrying strap.”

(Mv.VI.14.1) [39] Now on that occasion Ven. Pilindavaccha had a wind-disease. The doctors said, “Oil should be decocted.”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a decoction of oil.”

In that decoction of oil, alcohol was supposed to be mixed. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that alcohol be mixed in the decoction of oil.”

Now on that occasion the Group-of-six monks decocted oil mixed with too much alcohol. Drinking it, they became drunk. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, oil mixed with too much alcohol should not be drunk. Whoever drinks it is to be dealt with in accordance with the rule.[7]

“Monks, I allow that when neither the color, the smell, nor the taste of alcohol can be detected in the decoction of oil, this sort of oil mixed with alcohol may be drunk.”

(Mv.VI.14.2) Now at that time the monks had decocted a large amount of oil with too much alcohol. Then the thought occurred to them, “What should we do with the oil decocted with too much alcohol?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that it be determined as rubbing-oil”

Now at that time Ven. Pilindavaccha had a large amount of decocted oil. There was no oil-container to be found. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow (for oil) three kinds of flasks: a metal flask, a wooden flask, and a fruit (e.g., coconut shell) flask.”

(Mv.VI.14.3) Now on that occasion Ven. Pilindavaccha had a wind affliction in the limbs. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a sweating treatment.”

It didn’t improve. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow a sweating treatment with herbs.”

It didn’t improve.

“Monks, I allow a great-sweating treatment.”

It didn’t improve.

“Monks, I allow hemp water.”

It didn’t improve.

“Monks, I allow a water tub.”

(Mv.VI.14.4) [40] Now on that occasion Ven. Pilindavaccha had a wind affliction in the joints. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow blood-letting.”[8]

It didn’t improve. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow, having let blood, to perform moxibustion.” ??H cup with a horn

[41] Now on that occasion Ven. Pilindavaccha had split feet. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow rubbing-oil for the feet.”

It didn’t improve. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that a foot salve be prepared.”

[42] Now on that occasion a certain monk had boils. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow lancing (surgery).”

They needed astringent water.

“Monks, I allow astringent water.”

They needed pounded sesame paste.

“Monks, I allow pounded sesame paste.”

(Mv.VI.14.5) They needed a compress.

“Monks, I allow a compress.”

They needed a bandage.

“Monks, I allow a bandage.”

The sore/wound itched.[9]

“Monks, I allow that it be sprinkled with mustard-seed powder (to prevent itching).”

The sore/wound festered.

“Monks, I allow fumigating.”

The tissue swelled.

“Monks, I allow that (scar-tissue) be cut off with a piece of salt-crystal.”

The sore/wound didn’t heal.

“Monks, I allow oil for the sore/wound.”

The oil dripped. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow an old piece of cloth (for soaking up the oil) and every kind of treatment for sores/wounds.”

(Mv.VI.14.6) [43] Now on that occasion a certain monk had been bitten by a snake. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow that the four great filthy things be given: excrement, urine, ashes, clay.”

Then the thought occurred to the monks, “Are they not (to be) received, or should they be received?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“Monks, I allow, when there is someone to make them allowable, that he have them received; (or) when there is no one to make them allowable, that, having taken them oneself, one consume them.”[10]

Now on that occasion a certain monk had drunk poison. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that (water mixed with) excrement be drunk.”

Then the thought occurred to the monks, “Is it not (to be) received, or should it be received?”

They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that what is one received while making it is received in and of itself. Once made it is not to be received again.”

(Mv.VI.14.7) [44] Now on that occasion a certain monk was afflicted by [i.e., had drunk] a sorcery concoction. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that mud turned up by the plow be drunk.”

Now on that occasion a certain monk was constipated. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that alkaline juice be drunk.”

Now on that occasion a certain monk had jaundice. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that urine and yellow myrobalan be drunk.”

Now on that occasion a certain monk had a skin disease. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that a scented rubbing be done.”

Now on that occasion a certain monk’s body had an excess of toxins.[11] They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow that a purgative be drunk.”

They needed clarified conjey. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow clarified conjey.”

They needed clear green gram broth. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow clear green gram broth.”

They needed slightly thick (green gram broth). They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow slightly thick (green gram broth).”

They needed meat broth. They reported the matter to the Blessed One.

“I allow meat broth.”[12]

Notes

1.
See also: BMCII Chap. 5: Life-long medicines.
2.
BMCI: Pc 40: Tooth-cleaning sticks.
3.
Mv.VIII.17.1, For a discussion of the following section, see BMCII: Chap. 5: Specific treatments.
4.
BMCI: Food Chapter: Staple Foods.
5.
BMCII Chap. 5: Eye treatments.
6.
anujānāmi bhikkhave salākodhāniyanti. [ME: salākaṭhāniyanti]
7.
BMCI: Pc 51.
8.
BMCII: Misbehavior.
9.
vaṇo kaṇḍavati [ME kaṇḍuvati].
10.
BMCI: Pc 40: Non-offenses.
11.
MvVIII: Jīvaka.
12.
BMCI: Pc 37.
[previous page][next page]