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) 94
Bi-Pc.94.1.1 BD.3.413 … at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns sat down on a seat in front of a monk[1] without asking (for permission). Monks … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns … without asking (for permission)?” …
“Is it true, as is said, monks, that nuns … without asking (for permission)?”
“It is true, lord.”
The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:
“How, monks, can nuns … without asking (for permission)? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:
“Whatever nun should sit down on a seat in front of a monk without asking (for permission), there is an offence of expiation.”
Bi-Pc.94.2.1 Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.
In front of a monk means: in front of one who is ordained.
Without asking (for permission) means: not having obtained permission.
Should sit down on a seat means: if she sits down even on the ground, there is an offence of expiation.
Bi-Pc.94.2.2 If she thinks that she has not asked (for permission) when she has not asked (for permission and) sits down on a seat, there is an offence of expiation. If she is in doubt as to whether she has not asked (for permission) … If she thinks that she has asked (for permission) when she has not asked (for permission) Vin.4.344 … there is an offence of expiation. If she thinks that she BD.3.414 has not asked (for permission) when she has asked (for permission), there is an offence of wrong-doing. If she is in doubt as to whether she has asked (for permission), there is an offence of wrong-doing. If she thinks that she has asked (for permission) when she has asked (for permission), there is no offence.
Bi-Pc.94.2.3 There is no offence if, having asked (for permission), she sits down on a seat; if she is ill; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.