Yong Peng,

As far as I know it is completely acceptable for laity to read the Vinaya.
However, they are not allowed to be present during the recitation of the
Patimokkha and the acknowledgement of one's (monk's) faults.

As far as lay people going to hell for judging monks and nuns... I think
this is completely ridiculous. It is a job of the lay people to keep the monks
in check. The monks have a responsibility to the lay people as the lay
people have a responsibility to the monks. It is completely acceptable to point
out the wrong doings of a monk or nun when they have not conducted themselves
in a proper manner. Of course the lesser guidelines should not be
considered as serious.

This is my experience and opinion, having been a novice in a Thai temple
for a few years. If any of the bhikkhus in the group can comment, please
excuse any mistakes I have made.

David

In a message dated 5/4/2005 8:56:25 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
yongpeng.ong@... writes:

Dear Ven. Yuttadhammo, Piya and friends,

I have a question concerning laypeople and the Vinaya. In some
Buddhist traditions, particularly the various Chinese traditions,
there is a belief that laypeople should not read the Vinaya, and
another belief that any layperson doing so will go to hell. I think
the only exceptions would be non-Buddhists and scholars, although
that is quite a lot of people. I like to know what does the different
Theravada traditions (Thai, Burmese, Sinhalese, etc.) say about this.

The reason for this Chinese tradition, as I learnt from a Mahayana
monk, is so that laypeople will not be judgmental of monks and nuns,
which can also be bad karma! It makes sense?. Because of this
[Chinese tradition], I have long regarded the Vinaya as house rules
to an exclusive group of people, i.e. the monks and nuns. So,
laypeople do not have the rights to judge about the internal affairs
of the monastic community. At the same time, monks and nuns cannot
apply their "house rules" to laypeople, since it is, afterall,
for "internal use only". Fair and square.

Frankly, I am happy with it. I am not bothered with the rules since I
am not a monk. And, I have avoided the Vinaya for the above reason.
However, I always like to learn more about the Buddha and his life.
And, unfortunately, a large part of the narratives of his life
in 'locked' in the Vinaya Pitaka. What should I do?

Thank you.


metta,
Yong Peng.





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