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) 57

Bi-Pc.57.1.1 BD.3.354 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time several nuns, having kept the rains in a village residence, went to Sāvatthī. Nuns spoke thus to these nuns: “Where did the ladies keep the rains? Was an Order of monks Vin.4.314 ‘invited’[1]?”

“Ladies, we did not ‘invite’ an Order of monks.” Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns, having spent the rains, not ‘invite’ an Order of monks?” …

“Is it true, as is said, monks, that nuns … did not ‘invite’ an Order of monks?”

“It is true, lord.”

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

“How, monks, can nuns … not ‘invite’ an Order of monks? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:

Whatever nun, having kept the rains, should not ‘invite’ both Orders in respect of three matters: what was seen or heard or suspected, there is an offence of expiation.”[2]


Bi-Pc.57.2.1 Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.

Having kept the rains means: having kept the first three months or the last three months.[3]

If she thinks, “I will not ‘invite’ both Orders in respect of three matters: what was seen or heard or BD.3.355 suspected,” in throwing off the responsibility, there is an offence of expiation.


Bi-Pc.57.2.2 There is no offence if there is an obstacle; if, having looked about, she does not get the chance; if she is ill; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.[4]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

pavārito, a technical term. See BD.2.268, n.8. Regulations for nuns to hold the pavāraṇā ceremony, using the word pavāreti, given at Vin.2.275. Cf. also Vin.1.161.

[2]:

Cf. the fourth “important rule,” BD.2.268.

[3]:

Cf. definition of “during the rains,” above, BD.3.321.

[4]:

Cf. above, BD.3.289, BD.3.310, BD.3.331, BD.3.336; and below, BD.3.376.

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