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) 87

Bi-Pc.87.1.1 BD.3.406 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the group of six nuns wore women’s ornaments. People … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns wear women’s ornaments, like women householders who enjoy pleasures of the senses?” Nuns heard these people who … spread it about. Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying: “How can this group of six nuns wear women’s ornaments?” …

“Is it true, as is said, monks, that … women’s ornaments?”

“It is true, lord.”

The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:

“How, monks, can … women’s ornaments? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:

Whatever nun should wear women’s ornaments, there is an offence of expiation.”


Bi-Pc.87.2.1 Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.

Women’s ornaments mean: they go on the head, round the neck, on the hands,[1] on the feet, round the hips.[2]

Should wear means: if she wears them even once, there is an offence of expiation.Vin.3.341


Bi-Pc.87.2.2 There is no offence if it is on account of illness[3]; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

hattha also means “forearm,” see definition of “hand” at BD.1.203.

[2]:

Cf. Vin.3.239 (BD.2.107) where these phrases occur in definition of kata, “shaped.”

[3]:

It is difficult to imagine what diseases could be cured or alleviated by wearing ornaments.

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