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) 56
Bi-Pc.56.1.1 BD.3.352 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time several nuns, having spent the rains in a village residence, went to Sāvatthī. Nuns spoke thus to these nuns: “Where did the ladies spend the rains? We hope that the exhortation was effective?”[1]
“There were no monks there, ladies; how could the exhortation be effective?” Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying:
“How can these nuns spend the rains in a residence where there is no monk?” …
“Is it true, as is said, monks, that the nuns … where there was no monk?”
“It is true, lord.”
The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:
“How, monks, can the nuns … where there is no monk? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:
“Whatever nun should spend the rains in a residence where there is no monk, there is an offence of expiation.”[2]
Bi-Pc.56.2.1 Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.
A residence where there is no monk means: it is not possible to go for exhortation[3] or for communion.[4] BD.3.353 If she thinks, “I will spend the rains,” (and) prepares a lodging, provides drinking water and water for washing, sweeps a cell, there is an offence of wrong-doing. With sunrise, there is an offence of expiation.
Bi-Pc.56.2.2 There is no offence if monks, having entered on the rains-settlement, come to have gone away or left the Order or done their time or gone over to (another) side; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.[5]
Footnotes and references:
[4]: