Relinquishment With Confession 15

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. As explained in detail above. … They said: “Do you want to have a robe shop?”

When the bhikkhunīs heard this, they told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went to the World-honored One, and informed him of this matter. The Buddha said: “Summon those bhikkhunīs.” When they came, he asked them: “Did you really do this?” They answered: “We really did this.” The Buddha said: “Why did you keep spare robes? From now on, it’s no longer allowed to keep spare robes.” The Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī: “Convene all the bhikkhunīs living in the vicinity of Sāvatthī. … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī keeps a spare robe, it’s a nissaggiya pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “A robe” means a woolen robe, a cotton robe, a silk robe, a linen robe, a sunn hemp robe, a hemp robe, and a robe woven with linen. “Storing” means storing more than the maximum is a nissaggiya pācittiya. “A nissaggiya pācittiya” is as explained above. A bhikkhunī may keep 20 robes: five determined robes, and 15 robes for use after having made a pure offering Pāli: vikappana. This differs from the Pāli tradition, where items are placed under vikappana to be stored, and may not be used before vikappana has been lifted.*. If she keeps more, it’s a nissaggiya pācittiya. A bhikkhu may keep an unlimited number as pure offerings, and use them without offense. This is what the World-honored One said.