Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga
by T. W. Rhys Davids | 1881 | 137,074 words
The Cullavagga (part of the Vinaya collection) includes accounts of the First and Second Buddhist Councils as well as the establishment of the community of Buddhist nuns. The Cullavagga also elaborates on the etiquette and duties of Bhikkhus....
Cullavagga, Khandaka 10, Chapter 7
1. Now at that time Bhikkhunīs in Saṃgha assembled, having fallen into quarrel, strife, and dispute, got to blows, and were unable to settle the point at issue. They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to settle for Bhikkhunīs a point at issue.'
Now at that time Bhikkhus were settling for Bhikkhunīs a point at issue, and as the point at issue was being enquired into, it was found that both Bhikkhunīs competent to take part in an official act[1], and Bhikkhunīs who had been guilty of an offence (had taken part in the Saṃgha during the official act (the Kamma) at which the point in issue arose).
The Bhikkhunīs said: 'It would be well if you, Sirs, would carry out disciplinary proceedings against the guilty Bhikkhunīs, or absolve their offence: for thus has it been laid down by the Blessed One: "Bhikkhus are to settle for the Bhikkhunīs a point at issue."'
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to set on foot[2] an official act for Bhikkhunīs, and then to give it in charge for Bhikkhunīs to carry out the official act against Bhikkhunīs. And I allow Bhikkhus to set on foot the (dealing with an) offence for Bhikkhunīs, and then to give it in charge for Bhikkhunīs to accept the confession thereof.'
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Kammappattā; on which see Parivāra XIX, 6, 7.
[2]:
Ropetuṃ, on which Buddhaghosa says: Tajjaniyādisu imaṃ nāma kammaṃ etissā kātabban ti evaṃ ropetvā.