Confession 138

Origin Story

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

Then Khemā bhikkhunī gave the full ordination to many students but couldn’t instruct all of them. Because they 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 saw them, they asked: “Why aren’t you established in proper conduct, don’t wear your robes neatly, do your almsround not according to dhamma, accept improper food here and there, accept food in improper bowls, and shout loudly during breakfast and lunch like at a gathering of brahmins?” They then replied: “We’re Khemā bhikkhunī’s students. Because out teacher doesn’t instruct us, (we’re like this.)”

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 Khemā bhikkhunī: “Why did you ordain many students but couldn’t instruct all of them? Because they 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, accepted food in improper bowls, and shouted loudly during breakfast and lunch like at a gathering of brahmins.” 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 Khemā 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 did you ordain many students but couldn’t instruct all of them? Because they 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, accepted food in improper bowls, and shouted loudly during breakfast and lunch like at a gathering of brahmins.” When he 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:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī gives the full ordination to people more often than once a year, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanation

The meaning of “bhikkhunī” is as above.

A bhikkhunī may give the full ordination to someone once in 12 months, may give dependence to someone once in 12 months, may give the training precepts to a sikkhamānā for two years once in 12 months, and may ordain a sāmaṇerī once in 12 months. If a bhikkhunī gives the full ordination more often than once a year, it’s a pācittiya. If she gives dependence more often than once a year, or ordains a sikkhamānā or sāmaṇerī, it’s a dukkaṭa.

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

“Not committed” means if, after 12 months, she gives the full ordination, or if, after 12 months, she gives dependence to someone, gives the training precepts to a sikkhamānā for two years, or ordains 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 138th rule.)