Confession 73

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, there was a bhikkhunī who wore her robe like a (lay)woman. The lay people became angry: “Why does that bhikkhunī walk around wearing a long robe with strands trailing behind, like a worldly woman? What kind of path can such a degenerated person possess?”

When the bhikkhunīs heard this, they told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went to the World-honored One, and fully 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.” The Buddha said: “From now on, it’s no longer allowed to make a robe with strands attached. It should be made to the measurements.” 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 makes a lower robe, she should make it according to the measurements: four sugata handspans in length, two handspans in width. If she makes it larger, it’s to be cut off, and it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Lower robe” means what the World-honored One allowed. “Makes” means either making it oneself or having others make it. “According to the measurements” means four sugata handspans in length. “Sugata” means the Well-gone One. The width is two handspans. If she exceeds these measurements, it’s to be cut off, and the pācittiya is to be confessed. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī makes it according to the measurements in length, but exceeds the measurements in width, the pācittiya is fulfilled. If she uses it, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. The same applies if she makes it according to the measurements in width, but exceeds the measurements in length; if she makes the border according to the measurements, but exceeds the measurements of the center; and if she makes the center according to the measurements, but exceeds the measurements of the border. The same also applies if she bends or wrinkles the cloth when measuring; or if she sprinkles it with water when measuring, wishing for it to become longer and wider after drying. (In all these cases,) it’s a pācittiya. If she uses it, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what the World-honored One said.