Vinaya Pitaka (2): Bhikkhuni-vibhanga (the analysis of Nun’ rules)
by I. B. Horner | 2014 | 66,469 words | ISBN-13: 9781921842160
The English translation of the Bhikkhuni-vibhanga: the second part of the Suttavibhanga, which itself is the first book of the Pali Vinaya Pitaka, one of the three major ‘baskets’ of Therevada canonical literature. It is a acollection of rules for Buddhist nuns. The English translation of the Vinaya-pitaka (second part, bhikkhuni-vibhanga) contain...
Nuns’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 53
Bi-Pc.53.1.1 BD.3.346 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time[1] the nun Caṇḍakālī was one who made strife, who made quarrels, who made contention, who made brawls, who made disputes in the Order … see Bi-Ss.4 Vin.4.310 … The nun Thullanandā, saying: “These are ignorant, these are inexperienced, they do not even know a (formal) act or the defect of a (formal) act or the failure of a (formal) act or the success of a (formal) act,” and being quick tempered,[2] she abused[3] a group. Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying:
“How can the lady Thullanandā, being quick tempered, abuse a group?” …
“Is it true, as is said, monks, that the nun Thullanandā, being quick tempered, abused a group?”
“It is true, lord.”
The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:
“How, monks, can the nun Thullanandā … abuse a group? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:
“Whatever nun, being quick tempered, should abuse a group, there is an offence of expiation.”
Bi-Pc.53.2.1 Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.
Being quick tempered means: she is called angry.[4]
Group means: it is called an Order of nuns.[5]
BD.3.347 Should abuse[6] means: if she abuses, saying: “These are ignorant, these are inexperienced, they do not even know a (formal) act … or the success of a (formal) act,” there is an offence of expiation. If she abuses several nuns or one nun or one who is not ordained, there is an offence of wrong-doing.
There is no offence if she is aiming at (explaining) the goal … see Bi-Pc.52.2.3 … if she is the first wrong-doer.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
caṇḍikatā.