The Vinaya of the Mahīśāsaka School: A Modern Translation Volume2 of 2: Monastic Rules and Practices for Monks and Nuns (The Mahiśāsaka Vinaya in Five Parts) Paperback – January 15, 2026

This book presents a modern translation of the Five-Part Vinaya (五分律), a foundational and crucial text within the Buddhist monastic codes, in its first volume (or complete translation). Known in its Sanskrit original as the Vinaya of the Mahīśāsaka School, this collection of monastic rules was transmitted by the Mahīśāsaka School, a branch of early Buddhist schools.The compilation of this Vinaya is believed to have taken place several centuries after the Buddha's parinirvana, roughly between the 2nd century BCE and the 2nd century CE in India. This Vinaya details specific rules for bhikkhus (monks) and bhikkhunis (nuns) in their spiritual practice, methods for community governance, and regulations concerning offenses and their corresponding penalties. This volume specifically includes the core text, T1421: Mīshāsai bu hé xì wǔ fēn lǜ (彌沙塞部和醯五分律), along with related scriptures such as T1422a: Mīshāsai wǔ fēn jiè běn (彌沙塞五分戒本), T1422b: Wǔ fēn jiè běn (五分戒本), T1423: Wǔ fēn bǐ qiū ní jiè běn (五分比丘尼戒本), and T1424: Mīshāsai jié mó běn (彌沙塞羯磨本).The Chinese translation of the Five-Part Vinaya was undertaken during China's Southern and Northern Dynasties period, specifically from 403 CE to 418 CE, in the Southern Song era. It was a collaborative effort by the Indian Tripiṭaka Master Buddhayasas (佛陀耶舎) and the Tripiṭaka Master Zhu Fonian (竺仏念) from Liangzhou, carried out at the Gihon-ji Temple in Chang'an. This Chinese rendition significantly influenced the development of the Vinaya school in Chinese Buddhism and has been widely studied as a particularly practical guide among various Vinaya texts.In the contemporary era, these ancient teachings, though transmuted in form, continue to offer profound insights into our spiritual quest. The purpose of this book is to render the abstruse Chinese Vinaya texts into clear, accessible modern language, while taking into account the social and cultural contexts of their original time. It is our earnest hope that this modern translation will serve as an invaluable resource not only for Buddhist scholars but also for those aspiring to Buddhist practice, and indeed, for anyone wishing to engage with the wisdom of ancient India. Read more