Relinquishment With Confession 16

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā bhikkhunī’s saṅghāṭī was torn, and she didn’t wash, dye, or repair it. She threw it down by a wall, and said: “If someone wants to take it, just take it.” At that time, Jetā bhikkhunī wore torn robes. The other bhikkhunīs said: “Venerable, you can take this robe, wash, dye, and repair it, and then use it.” Then she took it, repaired, washed and dyed it, and wore it. Thullanandā bhikkhunī said: “Give back my robe.” And she said to the other bhikkhunīs: “The situation is different. I was just trying to see (what would happen). One can’t put a robe or an item on the ground, leave them for a moment, and go away. Have you been able to fill up your rooms (with robes) yet?” Then she took the saṅghāṭī back by force.

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went to the World-honored One, and informed him of this matter. The Buddha said: “Summon that bhikkhunī.” When she came, he asked her: “Did you really do this?” She answered: “I really did this, World-honored One.” The Buddha said: “This is an unwholesome thing. … ” 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 throws away an old saṅghāṭī at a dwelling place, and announces: ‘If someone wants to take it, take it,’ and afterwards takes it back by force, it’s a nissaggiya pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “A dwelling place” means inside the monastery. “Throwing away” means putting or abandoning it on the ground. If she takes it back by force after someone has taken it, it’s a nissaggiya pācittiya. “A nissaggiya pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī has thrown things away, and someone has taken and used it, it’s not allowed to take it back by force. If nobody has taken it, and she later needs to use it and takes it, there’s no offense. If a bhikkhu, inside a monastery, throws robes, bowls, leather sandals, or any other minor items away, someone takes it, and he later takes it back by force, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. If nobody takes it, and he later takes it back, there’s no offense. This is what the World-honored One said.