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) 91–93

Bi-Pc.91.1.1 BD.3.411 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns caused (themselves) to be rubbed (with ointment) and also caused (themselves) to be massaged by a probationer … by a female novice … by a woman householder. People, engaged in touring the dwelling-place, having seen (them), … spread it about, saying: “How can Vin.4.343 these nuns cause (themselves) to be rubbed (with ointment) and also cause (themselves) to be massaged by a probationer … by a female novice … by a woman householder, just like women householders who enjoy pleasures of the senses?” Nuns heard … see Bi-Pc.90.1 … “… this rule of training:

Whatever nun should cause (herself) to be rubbed (with ointment) or should cause (herself) to be massaged by a probationer … by a female novice … by a woman householder, there is an offence of expiation.”


Bi-Pc.91.2.1 Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.

Probationer means: one who has trained for two years in the six rules.[1]

Female novice means: one conforming to the ten rules of training.[2]

Woman householder means: she is called a housewife.[3]

Should cause (herself) to be rubbed (with ointment) means: if she makes (another) rub (her with ointment), there is an offence of expiation.

BD.3.412 Should cause (herself) to be massaged means: if she makes (another) rub (her), there is an offence of expiation.


Bi-Pc.91.2.2 There is no offence if it is on account of illness; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.

Footnotes and references:

[3]:

agāriṇī; cf. gharaṇī at Vin.4.20.

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