Confession 103

First Origin Story

At that time, the Blessed One was in Sāvatthī in Jeta’s grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park.

Then there was a bhikkhunī who wanted to cut and sew a saṅghāṭī. Thullanandā bhikkhunī said: “Younger sister, bring it (to me). I’ll cut and sew it for you.” She then gave her the valuable cloth. That bhikkhunī was intelligent, had much knowledge, and was able to guide others. Thullanandā bhikkhunī thought that she wanted to make that bhikkhunī give her offerings for a long time. Therefore, she cut the robe, but then didn’t sew it together. Then a fire broke out in the monastery where Thullanandā bhikkhunī was staying. The valuable cloth was burnt by the fire, and then also blown away and scattered by wind. When the householders saw this, they were all upset and said: “These bhikkhunīs know no shame. Outwardly, they praise themselves: ‘We know the true dhamma’, how is that the true dhamma? Why does a bhikkhunī cut another’s robe, but then doesn’t sew it together? It was burnt by fire, and blown away and scattered by wind.”

When the bhikkhunīs heard this, there were among them those with few wishes, who knew moderation, who practised the austerities, who were keen on training in the precepts, and who knew shame. They criticized Thullanandā bhikkhunī: “Why did you, when you were making a robe for someone else, not sew it together? It was burnt by fire, and blown away and scattered by wind.” Then the bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus went and told the World-honored One. The World-honored One for this reason gathered the bhikkhu sangha, and criticized Thullanandā bhikkhunī: “What you did is wrong, is improper conduct, against the rules of renunciates, an impure practice, a practice not to be followed, shouldn’t be done. Why, bhikkhunī, did you cut cloth, but then not sew it together? It was burnt by fire, and blown away and scattered by wind.” Then, when the World-honored One had criticized her in countless ways, he said to the bhikkhus: “This bhikkhunī has all kinds of taints, and is the first to break this precept. From now on, I’ll lay down a precept for the bhikkhunīs, and state the 10 principles: … So that the true dhamma may last long. Someone wishing to recite the precept should recite like this:

Preliminary Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī takes more than five days to sew a saṇghāṭī, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanation

The meaning of “bhikkhunī” is as above.

Second Origin Story

In this way the World-honored One laid down the precept for the bhikkhunīs. Someone wanted a saṇghāṭī, but the kaṭhina robe was removed and the six difficulties arose. She had doubts. The Buddha said: “If there’s such a case, the offense isn’t committed. From now on, you should recite the precept like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī takes more than five days to sew a saṇghāṭī, except when someone requests a saṇghāṭī, but the kaṭhina robe is removed and the six difficulties arise, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanation (continued)

For a bhikkhu, it’s a dukkaṭa. For a sikkhamānā, a sāmaṇera, and a sāmaṇerī, it’s a dukkaṭa. This is called “to commit”.

“Not committed” means if someone requests a saṇghāṭī, but the robe of merit is removed and during the five days the six difficulties arise, if she sews it, if when she attends to it there’s no knive, no needle, or no thread, or just a little and not enough, if the robe’s owner has broken the precepts, or has broken right view, or has broken proper conduct, or has been suspended, has been permanently expelled, or should be permanently expelled, or if for these reasons (the first bhikkhunī’s) life is in danger, or her celibacy is in danger, and she doesn’t sew it together and exceeds five days, the offense isn’t committed.

“Not committed” means if she’s the first offender when the precept hadn’t yet been laid down, if she’s mad, if she’s distracted, or if she’s overcome with pain. (End of the 103rd rule.)