Confession 132

Origin Story

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

When the bhikkhunīs heard that the World-honored One had laid down a precept and allowed people with 12 vassa to give the full ordination to someone, they all praised themselves: “I’ve 12 vassa.” Ignorant ones gave the full ordination to people and didn’t know how to instruct them. Because (the new bhikkhunīs) weren’t instructed, they weren’t established in proper conduct, didn’t wear their robes neatly, did their almsround not according to dhamma, accepted improper food here and there, or accepted food in improper bowls, and shouted loudly during breakfast and lunch like at a gathering of brahmins.

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 rebuked these bhikkhunīs: “When you heard that the World-honored One had laid down a precept that people with 12 vassa may give the full ordination to someone, why did you praise yourselves for having 12 vassa and ask for the Giving-of-full-ordination, when you’re foolish and don’t know how to instruct? Because (the new bhikkhunīs) weren’t instructed, they weren’t established in proper conduct, didn’t wear their robes neatly, did their almsround not according to dhamma, … like at a gathering of brahmins.” Then the bhikkhunīs went and 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 these bhikkhunīs:

“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 did you praise yourselves for having 12 vassa and ask for the Giving-of-full-ordination, when you’re foolish and don’t know how to instruct? Because (the new bhikkhunīs) weren’t instructed, they weren’t established in proper conduct, didn’t wear their robes neatly, did their almsround not according to dhamma, … like at a gathering of brahmins.” When the World-honored One had criticized them in countless ways, he said to the bhikkhus: “These bhikkhunīs have all kinds of taints, and are 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:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī, who has 12 vassa, gives the full ordination to someone without the sangha’s approval, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanation

The meaning of “bhikkhunī” is as above.

If a bhikkhunī, who has 12 vassa, gives the full ordination to someone without the sangha’s approval, it’s a pācittiya. If she gives dependence, or takes on a sikkhamānā or a sāmaṇerī, without the sangha’s approval, in all cases it’s a dukkaṭa.

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

“Not committed” means if she has 12 vassa and with the sangha’s approval, gives the full ordination to someone, or gives dependence to someone, or takes on a sikkhamānā or a sāmaṇerī, 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 132nd rule.)