English
English version: 'Where should the repayment be made?' (The creditor) sent (the debtor) back to his country, saying, 'Return after you have repaid the debt, and I will wait for you here.' (The debtor's) disciple repaid the debt and returned to inform (the creditor), who then took seven steps and died, falling into Avīci hell (the lowest of the eight great hells, the hell of incessant suffering). Upon entering (the hell), he felt warmth and, not yet reaching the extreme heat, thought it was a warm room. He then loudly chanted scriptures and mantras. Many sinners and ghosts in the hell, thousands of whom heard the chanting, were delivered. The hell-warden became very angry and struck him with an iron fork. (He) then died and was reborn in Trāyastriṃśa heaven (one of the six heavens of the desire realm). This proves that the property of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha (the Three Jewels of Buddhism) must be repaid. Even if one suffers for it, one can eventually be released in time. Question: 'Is there any sin in discarding the soil swept from a pagoda?' Answer: 'It can be discarded, but it must not be used for other purposes.' Question: 'Is it a transgression to give away the Buddha's property to others and collect interest on it?' Answer: 'It is the same as misappropriating the Buddha's property, and both are grave offenses. Both the principal and the interest should be returned to the Buddha. There is no merit in doing so, because it damages the Dharmakāya (one of the three bodies of the Buddha, representing the body of truth) of the Buddha and is merely a formality.' Question: 'Is it permissible for the steward of a Buddhist temple to send a young servant boy belonging to the temple to serve a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk)?' Answer: 'It is not permissible, because they are the property of the temple.' Question: 'If a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) needs to work for the temple, can he eat the temple's food?' Answer: 'No. A bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) has no reason to work as a hired laborer, let alone take the temple's clothing and food!' Question: 'If a layperson works for the temple and receives property from the temple, and uses this property to make food to offer to the monks, can the monks eat it?' Answer: 'They cannot eat it.' Question: 'Is it permissible to handle gold, silver, or money in Buddhist ceremonies and rituals?' Answer: 'It is not permissible to handle them, and it constitutes a Nissaggiya Pācittiya offense (an offense requiring forfeiture).' Question: 'If someone donates cattle, donkeys, horses, or slaves to build Buddhist ceremonies and rituals, can they be accepted?' Answer: 'They can be accepted and used, but they must not be sold. Bows, swords, and other military equipment must not be accepted at all.' Question: 'If someone donates a house to a temple, but it is not yet in use, can someone temporarily live there?' Answer: 'No. It is already the property of the temple.' Question: 'To continue the light of the Buddha, can (the lamp) be extinguished during the day?' Answer: 'No. If it is extinguished, it is a Pācittiya offense (an offense requiring expiation). Although it is said that the Buddha' -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 无明闇，施者得福故。灭有罪。”
Chinese
问：“非佛屋，佛像在中，可在前食卧不？”答：“得。若佛在世，犹于前食卧，况像不得？但卧须障。若有灯光明，不得足光中过住。若自有灯，得。” 问：“上佛图佛塔佛墙远望，犯何等事？”答：“不知不犯。若必急难事上，亦不犯。知而上犯舍堕，过三谏犯决断，过四谏故上犯弃。” 问：“指物造佛经，更得他物，不用前物得尔不？”答：“不得。以许便是。” 问：“得买佛上缯作衣不？”答：“不得。” 问：“形相佛像，犯何事？”答：“一切佛像，不问好恶不得形相。其罪甚重，必不可为。” 问：“人作佛像，鼻不作孔。后人得作不？”答：“不得。” 问：“佛墙得持物倚不？”答：“不得。犯舍堕。昔有一比丘入寺礼佛。有婆罗门知相，相比丘有天子相，便语比丘：‘我有一女嫁与比丘。’比丘言：‘须我礼佛还。’比丘便持锡杖倚佛图墙，入寺礼佛已还出。婆罗门便不复与语。比丘问：‘故与我女不？’婆罗门言：‘不与。’婆罗门言：‘向见比丘有贵相故与，今无复此相，是故不与。所以尔者，消其功德故。’以是佛墙及塔壁，不可持物倚，既犯戒又消其无量功德。” 问：“佛物，得作天人世 现代汉语译本： ‘无明闇（无明黑暗），施舍者因此获得福报。灭除罪过。’ 问：‘非佛堂的房屋，佛像在其中，可以在佛像前饮食起卧吗？’答：‘可以。如果佛陀在世，尚且可以在他面前饮食起卧，何况是佛像？但睡觉时需要遮蔽。如果有灯光照明，不得从灯光中用脚跨过或停留。如果自己有灯，就可以。’ 问：‘登上佛图（佛寺），佛塔，佛墙远望，触犯什么罪过？’答：‘不知道就不算触犯。如果确实有紧急困难的事情需要上去，也不算触犯。明知故犯则触犯舍堕罪，超过三次劝谏仍然触犯则判决断罪，超过四次劝谏仍然故意触犯则判弃罪。’ 问：‘指定某物来制作佛经，后来得到其他物品，不用之前的物品可以吗？’答：‘不可以。因为已经承诺了。’ 问：‘可以购买佛像上的丝织品来制作衣服吗？’答：‘不可以。’ 问：‘损毁佛像的形相，触犯什么罪过？’答：‘一切佛像，不论好坏，都不得损毁其形相。这种罪过非常严重，绝对不可以做。’ 问：‘有人制作佛像，没有开鼻孔。后人可以开吗？’答：‘不可以。’ 问：‘可以靠在佛墙上放置物品吗？’答：‘不可以。触犯舍堕罪。过去有一位比丘进入寺庙礼佛。有一位婆罗门懂得相术，看到这位比丘有天子之相，就对他说：‘我有一个女儿，想嫁给比丘您。’比丘说：‘等我礼佛回来再说。’比丘便将锡杖靠在佛图墙上，进入寺庙礼佛后出来。婆罗门便不再和他说话。比丘问：‘还愿意把女儿嫁给我吗？’婆罗门说：‘不愿意了。’婆罗门说：‘之前看到比丘有贵相才想把女儿嫁给你，现在没有这种相了，所以不嫁了。之所以这样，是因为他消减了自己的功德。’因此，佛墙和塔壁，不可以靠着放置物品，既触犯戒律又消减无量的功德。’ 问：‘佛物，可以用来制作天人世
English
English version: ‘Dispelling the darkness of ignorance, the giver thus obtains blessings. Eradicating sins.’ Question: ‘In a house that is not a Buddha hall, but has a Buddha image within, is it permissible to eat and sleep in front of the image?’ Answer: ‘It is permissible. If the Buddha were alive, one could still eat and sleep in his presence, how much more so before an image? However, one must provide a screen when sleeping. If there is lamplight, one must not pass or stay with one's feet in the light. If one has one's own lamp, it is permissible.’ Question: ‘What offense is committed by climbing on a Buddhist temple (Fo Tu), pagoda, or wall to look into the distance?’ Answer: ‘If one is unaware, no offense is committed. If it is necessary due to an urgent matter, no offense is committed. If one is aware and still climbs, one commits a '舍堕 (she duo)' offense (an offense requiring expiation through relinquishment). If one continues after three admonishments, one commits a '决断 (jue duan)' offense (an offense requiring a judgment). If one continues after four admonishments, one commits a '弃 (qi)' offense (an offense requiring expulsion).’ Question: ‘If an item is designated for making a Buddhist scripture, and another item is obtained later, is it permissible to use the latter instead of the former?’ Answer: ‘It is not permissible, because a promise has already been made.’ Question: ‘Is it permissible to buy silk from a Buddha image to make clothes?’ Answer: ‘It is not permissible.’ Question: ‘What offense is committed by defacing a Buddha image?’ Answer: ‘All Buddha images, regardless of their quality, must not be defaced. This offense is very serious and must never be done.’ Question: ‘If someone makes a Buddha image without nostrils, can someone else add them later?’ Answer: ‘No, they cannot.’ Question: ‘Is it permissible to lean objects against a Buddha wall?’ Answer: ‘It is not permissible. It is a '舍堕 (she duo)' offense. Once, a Bhikshu (monk) entered a temple to pay respects to the Buddha. A Brahmin (member of the priestly class) who knew physiognomy saw that the Bhikshu had the appearance of a celestial being and said to him, ‘I have a daughter I would like to marry to you.’ The Bhikshu said, ‘I must first pay respects to the Buddha.’ The Bhikshu then leaned his staff against the wall of the Buddhist temple, entered the temple to pay respects to the Buddha, and then came out. The Brahmin then no longer spoke to him. The Bhikshu asked, ‘Are you still willing to give me your daughter?’ The Brahmin said, ‘No, I am not.’ The Brahmin said, ‘I was going to give her to you because I saw that you had a noble appearance, but now you no longer have that appearance, so I will not give her to you. The reason for this is that he diminished his merit.’ Therefore, one must not lean objects against Buddha walls or pagoda walls, as it is both a violation of the precepts and diminishes one's immeasurable merit.’ Question: ‘Can Buddha's belongings be used to create things for gods or humans’ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 人畜生像不？”答：“佛边得作。”
Chinese
问：“比丘度人，不知本末后度，知是佛奴而不发遣。犯何事？”答：“知而度犯重。若先不知，知便发遣。若不发遣，犯重。”问：“其人是大道不？”答：“非。” 问：“自有私财，顾比丘作佛像。作者得取物不？”答：“不得。” 问：“先上佛幡，得取用作佛事不？”答：“佛事得用。檀越不听，不得。” 问：“得通礼过去七佛不？”答：“得。以法身同故。” 问：“若人先许佛三会，然后作一会、或三行香、三布施。得了不？”答言：“不得。自违言有罪。” 问：“比丘犯决断，得佛地中忏悔不？”答：“不得。” 问：“久远故寺，都无垣障，不知佛地远近。若欲作者，云何得知齐畔？”答：“不知当以意作齐畔，以不知故增损无罪。” 问：“佛物作鬼子母屋及作像，有罪不？”答：“同以佛物施人。” 问：“佛塔前得礼比丘不？”答：“不得，犯舍堕。” 问：“比丘卖佛像有何罪？”答：“同卖父母。” 问：“比丘自手断树掘地，作佛塔寺及造形像。有福不？”答：“尚不免地狱受大罪苦，有何福耶？以故犯戒故。” 问法事品第三 问：“高座说法，前人着 现代汉语译本 问：‘人和畜生的形象像吗？’答：‘在佛的境界里可以这样认为。’ 问：‘比丘（bhiksu，佛教出家男众）度化他人出家，不知道其来历，之后才知道是被卖为奴隶的人，却没有遣返他。犯什么戒？’答：‘明知故犯，犯重罪。如果事先不知道，知道后就应该遣返。如果不遣返，犯重罪。’问：‘这个人是修大道的人吗？’答：‘不是。’ 问：‘有人用自己的私有财产，请比丘制作佛像。制作者可以拿取剩余的材料吗？’答：‘不可以。’ 问：‘先挂起来的佛幡（buddha banner），可以取下来用作其他佛事吗？’答：‘佛事可以使用。如果施主不同意，就不可以。’ 问：‘可以一起礼拜过去七佛（Seven Buddhas of the Past）吗？’答：‘可以。因为他们的法身是相同的。’ 问：‘如果有人先许愿为佛举办三次法会，然后只举办一次，或者只做三次行香、三次布施。可以吗？’答：‘不可以。违背自己的誓言是有罪的。’ 问：‘比丘犯了需要被判决的罪，可以在佛地中忏悔吗？’答：‘不可以。’ 问：‘年代久远的寺庙，都没有围墙，不知道佛地的范围。如果想要建造围墙，应该如何确定边界？’答：‘不知道的情况下，可以按照自己的想法确定边界，因为不知道，所以即使有所增加或减少，也没有罪。’ 问：‘用佛的财物建造鬼子母（Hariti，佛教护法神）的房屋或者制作鬼子母像，有罪吗？’答：‘等同于把佛的财物施舍给他人。’ 问：‘可以在佛塔前礼拜比丘吗？’答：‘不可以，犯舍堕（Nissaggiya Pacittiya，一种戒律）。’ 问：‘比丘卖佛像有什么罪？’答：‘等同于卖父母。’ 问：‘比丘亲手砍伐树木、挖掘土地，建造佛塔寺庙以及塑造佛像。有福报吗？’答：‘尚且不能免于地狱，遭受巨大的罪苦，哪里来的福报呢？因为这是违犯戒律的行为。’ 问法事品第三 问：‘在高座上说法，前面的人穿着…’
English
English version Question: 'Are the forms of humans and animals similar?' Answer: 'From the perspective of the Buddha's realm, it can be considered so.' Question: 'If a bhiksu (Buddhist monk) ordains someone without knowing their background, and later finds out they were sold into slavery but does not send them back, what offense is committed?' Answer: 'Knowingly doing so is a grave offense. If they didn't know beforehand, they should send them back upon learning the truth. If they don't send them back, it's a grave offense.' Question: 'Is this person on the path to enlightenment?' Answer: 'No.' Question: 'If someone uses their private wealth to commission a bhiksu to create a Buddha image, can the creator take the leftover materials?' Answer: 'No.' Question: 'Can a Buddha banner (a religious flag), once hung, be taken down and used for other Buddhist activities?' Answer: 'It can be used for Buddhist activities. If the donor doesn't agree, it cannot.' Question: 'Is it permissible to prostrate to the Seven Buddhas of the Past (Sapta-Tathagata) together?' Answer: 'Yes. Because their Dharmakaya (Dharma body) is the same.' Question: 'If someone initially promises to hold three Dharma assemblies for the Buddha, but then only holds one, or only performs three incense offerings or three acts of charity, is that acceptable?' Answer: 'No. Breaking one's own vow is a sin.' Question: 'If a bhiksu commits an offense requiring expulsion, can they repent in the Buddha's land?' Answer: 'No.' Question: 'If an ancient temple has no surrounding walls, and the boundaries of the Buddha's land are unknown, how should one determine the boundaries if they want to build walls?' Answer: 'If the boundaries are unknown, one can determine them according to their own intention. Because it is unknown, there is no offense even if there is an increase or decrease.' Question: 'Is it sinful to use the Buddha's property to build a house or create an image for Hariti (a protective deity in Buddhism)?' Answer: 'It is the same as giving the Buddha's property to others.' Question: 'Is it permissible to bow to a bhiksu in front of a Buddha stupa?' Answer: 'No, it is an offense of Nissaggiya Pacittiya (an offense requiring expiation).' Question: 'What is the offense of a bhiksu selling a Buddha image?' Answer: 'It is the same as selling one's parents.' Question: 'If a bhiksu personally cuts down trees and digs the ground to build Buddha stupas, temples, and create Buddha images, is there merit?' Answer: 'They will not be spared from hell and will suffer great torment. Where would the merit come from? Because it is a violation of the precepts.' Question on Dharma Matters, Chapter Three Question: 'When preaching from a high seat, if the person in front is wearing...' --------------------------------------------------------------------------------