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) 71
Bi-Pc.71.1.1 BD.3.381 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns ordained a maiden[1] who was under twenty years of age. These were unable to endure cold … Bi-Pc.65. Instead of a girl married for less than full twelve years read a maiden who is under twenty years of age; instead of for full twelve years read twenty years of age. … “… this rule of training:
“Whatever nun should ordain a maiden under twenty years of age, there is an offence of expiation.”
Bi-Pc.71.2.1 Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.
Under twenty years of age means: not attained to twenty years of age.[2]
Maiden means: she is called a female novice.
Should ordain means: … Bi-Pc.65.2. Read who is under twenty years of age, who has completed twenty years of age. … if she is the first wrong-doer.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
kumāribhūtā, probably a virgin. See BD.3, Introduction, p.xlix. Vin-a.942 says that if the agreement as to training has been given to a married girl in her tenth year of marriage, she may be ordained in her twelfth; and likewise receiving the agreement up to her eighteenth year of marriage she may be ordained in her twentieth. From a woman’s eighteenth year on, according to her marriage or age, one may say, “This is a married girl” and “This is a maiden.” But a maiden is not to be called a married girl. For the eighteenth year, see next Pācittiya.