Cullavagga, Khandaka 10, Chapter 19

1. Now at that time the Bhikkhunīs did not hold Pavāraṇā.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'A Bhikkhunī is not, O Bhikkhus, to omit holding Pavāraṇā. Whosoever does so, shall be dealt with according to law^[1].'

Now at that time the Bhikkhunīs held Pavāraṇā by themselves, and not in the Bhikkhu-saṃgha.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'A Bhikkhunī is not, O Bhikkhus, to hold Pavāraṇā apart, and not in the Bhikkhu-saṃgha. Whosoever does so, shall be dealt with according to law^[2].'

Now at that time Bhikkhunīs holding Pavāraṇā with the Bhikkhus only, and not apart by themselves, disturbed (the meeting of the Bhikkhu-saṃgha).

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'A Bhikkhunī is not, O Bhikkhus, to hold Pavāraṇā with the Bhikkhu-saṃgha only. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty oft dukkaṭa^[2].'

Now at that time Bhikkhunīs spent all their time before noon holding Pavāraṇā [and so had no time left for the early meal].

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that they hold Pavāraṇā in the afternoon.'

When holding Pavāraṇā in the afternoon, they had not time enough [to conclude their own ceremony that day, and take part in that of the Bhikkhus].

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow them, O Bhikkhus, to hold their own Pavāraṇā one day, and that with the Bhikkhus the next day.'

2. Now at that time the whole of the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha declaring, each one for herself, her Pavāraṇā before the Bhikkhu-saṃgha, disturbed (the proceedings).

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that some one learned and competent Bhikkhunī be deputed to make the Pavāraṇā invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha before the Bhikkhu-saṃgha. And thus, O Bhikkhus, is she to be deputed:

'"First, the Bhikkhunī is to be asked (whether she be willing to serve). When that has been done, a learned and discreet Bhikkhunī is to lay this motion before the Saṃgha: Let the Saṃgha, venerable Ladies, hear me. If it seem meet to the Saṃgha, let the Saṃgha depute N. N. to make the Pavāraṇā invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha before the Bhikkhu-saṃgha. That is the motion.

'"Let the Saṃgha, venerable Ladies, hear me. The Saṃgha deputes N. N. to make the Pavāraṇā invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha before the Bhikkhu-saṃgha. Whosoever of the venerable ones approves thereof, let her keep silence. Whosoever approves not thereof, let her speak.

'"N. N. is deputed by the Saṃgha to make the Pavāraṇā invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha before the Bhikkhu-saṃgha. The Saṃgha approves thereof. Therefore is it silent. Thus do I understand."'

3. 'When that Bhikkhunī has been deputed, she, accompanied by the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha, is to go before the Bhikkhu-saṃgha, arrange her robe over one shoulder, bow down before the Bhikkhus, and sitting on her heels, to stretch forth her joined palms, and say: "The Bhikkhunī-saṃgha invites the Bhikkhu-saṃgha (to point out to them any faults they may have committed) in respect of things heard, or seen, or suspected. May the Bhikkhu-saṃgha speak to the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha (if there be anything wherein they have offended) out of compassion toward them. Then will they, if they perceive the offence, confess the same. And a second time the Bhikkhunī-saṃgha . . . . . . [the whole repeated]. And a third time . . . . . . [the whole repeated]^[3]."'

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The 57th Bhikkhunī Pācittiya, which is the same as the 4th Garudhamma above, X, I, 4.

[2]:

See last note.

[3]:

This, of course, is the same form that each separate member of the Order uses before his or her own Saṃgha. Compare our notes above on the corresponding passage in the Mahāvagga, IV, I, 4.