Rules for Nuns According to the Dharmaguptakavinaya: The Discipline in Four Parts (In 3 Volumes)

The present work provides the first complete annotated translation into English of the Chinese version of the Bhiksunivibhanga of the Dharmaguptakavinaya. This Vinaya laid the foundation of Chinese monastic life. As the Dharmaguptakavinaya came into being in symbiosis with other Vinaya traditions, a comparison is made with these other traditions on important issues. In the introduction, the place of the Dharmaguptaka tradition, the career of a Buddhist nun and the rules of discipline are discussed. The notes to the English translation provide relevant references to technical terms and to parallel passages from the discipline for monks as well as from other Vinaya traditions. The work is supplemented with indexes, glossaries and a concordance of the rules for nuns and monks of the Dharmaguptaka tradition.