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’ Forfeiture (Nissaggiya) 12
Bi-NP.12.1.1 BD.3.241 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time the nun Thullanandā was very learned … see Bi-NP.11.1. Instead of in the cold weather read in the hot weather; instead of woollen garment read linen garment … “… this rule of training:
“If a nun is bargaining for a light cloth,[1] she may bargain for one (worth) at most two and a half ‘bronzes.’ If she should bargain for one (worth) more than that, there is an offence of expiation involving forfeiture.”
Bi-NP.12.2.1 Light cloth means: whatever is a cloth for the hot weather.
Is bargaining for means: is asking for.
She may bargain for one (worth) at most two and a half “bronzes” means: she may bargain for one worth ten kahāpaṇas.
If she should bargain for one (worth) more than that means: … see Bi-NP.11.2. Read a light cloth (worth) at most more than two and a half “bronzes,” Vin.4.257 more than two and a half “bronzes,” less than two and a half “bronzes” … there is no offence.
Bi-NP.12.2.2 There is no offence if she bargains for one (worth) at most two and a half “bronzes”; if she bargains for one (worth) at most less than two and a half “bronzes”; … if she is the first wrong-doer.
Bi-NP.12.3.1 Recited, ladies, are the thirty rules[2] for offences of BD.3.242 expiation involving forfeiture. Concerning them, I ask the ladies: I hope that you are quite pure in this matter? And a second time I ask: I hope that you are quite pure in this matter? And a third time I ask: I hope that you are quite pure in this matter? The ladies are quite pure in this matter; therefore are they silent. Thus do I understand this.
Told are the thirty offences of expiation involving forfeiture Vin.4.258
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
lahupāvuraṇa.
[2]:
Buddhaghosa at Vin-a.919 says that eighteen (Nissaggiya Pācittiya) rules of training are laid down for both sides, that is for monks and nuns alike. As these have appeared already in the Mahāvibhaṅga, only twelve additional ones need to be included in the Bhikkhunī-Pātimokkha to bring the total of Nissaggiyas for nuns up to thirty. See BD.3, Introduction, p.xxxvii.