Confession 75

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Vesālī. At that time, Bhaddā bhikkhunī was bathing in the river Sarpiṇikā. There were five young Licchavis who were watching her from the river bank. Having seen her, desire arose in their minds. The bhikkhunī said: “Long-lived Ones, go away.” They answered: “We won’t go away. We wish to look at the venerable’s body.” The bhikkhunī said: “What’s the use of looking at this smelly, festering body with it’s nine openings?” They said again: “That’s not true. We deeply desire to look at it.” And they didn’t leave for a long time. The bhikkhunī thought: “These worldlings are foolish and shallow.” Then she came out covering herself in front and behind with her hands. When these men saw that, they fell on the ground in confusion, and blood streamed out of their mouths.

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went to the World-honored One, and informed him of this matter. … The bhikkhunīs asked the Buddha: “Why did these five young Licchavis have a lustful mind, and fell on the ground in confusion like this?” The Buddha said: “It’s not just today that they had a lustful mind. In the past, it was already like this.” The bhikkhunīs said to the Buddha: “We wish to hear of this.” The Buddha said:

Past Life Story

A long time ago, there was a graceful and exquisite goddess, and there were five gods. The first god was called Sakka, the second Mātali, the third King Sañjaya, the fourth King Vijaya, and the fifth Māta. When they saw her, desire arose in their minds and they all thought: “This isn’t an item we can share. She should be given to the one whose mind is most lustful.” Everyone agreed, and then Sakka spoke this verse:

When I think of sexual desire, whether sitting or lying I won’t find peace.

Only when I’m asleep, the desire recedes and I begin to feel peace.

Mātali then spoke this verse:

Sakka, when you sleep, you still gain momentary rest.

When I think of sexual desire, it’s like the sound of a drum on the battleground.

King Sañjaya then spoke this verse:

Mātali’s analogy of a drum’s sound still has intervalls between.

When my mind is defiled with desire, it’s like a floating log swept away by a torrential river.

King Vijaya then spoke this verse:

Your analogy of a floating log will sometimes still get caught somewhere.

When I think thoughts of desire, they never stop, like gadflies.

And then Māta spoke this verse:

All that you’ve spoken is full of comfortable ideas.

When I’m obsessed with sexual desire, I don’t know if I’m dead or alive.

At that, the gods said: “You’re the most lustful, and we’ll give her to you.” The Buddha told the bhikkhunīs: “The five gods at that time are the five Licchavis now.” The bhikkhunīs asked the Buddha: “What karma did that bhikkhunī have to become as graceful as this, to be born in the household of a great family, to go forth out of faith, and to realize awakening without taints?” The Buddha told the bhikkhunīs: “In the past, there was a city called Vārāṇasī, and there was a householder who had just recently married his wife. She always had a hairdresser who offered food and drinks. Then a solitary Buddha called Ṡuṇṭhīka came to their door on almsround. When the wife saw that he wasn’t particularly good-looking, she didn’t feel respect in her mind. She also didn’t offer food, and left without speaking. When the hairdresser saw him, she said to the new wife: “You could offer food.” She answered: “He looks ugly, not good. I can’t offer anything.” (The hairdresser) then said: “Please give me my share of food. I wish to offer.” The wife answered: “As you wish. But you might as well throw it away into water.” The other woman got her food, and offered it to the solitary Buddha. When he had received the food, he rose up into the air, and left. When she saw him flying up, her mind was greatly elated, and she made this vow: “In a next existence, may I be born in the household of a great family, with a graceful body, see a Buddha, hear his dhamma, and attain the ending of the taints.” When that life was over, she was born in a heaven among 100.000 other goddesses. She had five things in the most superior way: Long life, beautiful appearance, strength, fame, and eloquence. When that life in heaven was over, she was born in Vārāṇasī into a brahmin household. At that time, it happened that Kassapa Buddha had appeared in the world. Her parents had gone out sightseeing, and the woman was at home. Kassapa Buddha entered the city on almsround in sequence, and reached that house. Because of the merit she had planted in the past life, she was overjoyed when she saw him. She offered that World-honored One a cleanly washed copper bowl abundantly filled with all kinds of good food, as well as a silk robe. The she spoke this verse:

Today I offered food and a robe, the most splendid of all offerings,

Today I offered to a respected sage, who has exhausted afflictions and attained awakening.

This ending of the taints and awakening, I also wish to attain.

That woman later married into another brahmin household. Her parents-in-law were strict and evil, and there was much difficulty. … “What use do I have for this life? Why don’t I kill myself?” Then she took her ornaments, and perfumed her body. With a rope to hang herself, she wanted to go and commit suicide. In passing, she saw the stupa of Kassapa Buddha. Then she took her adornments, and offered them to the stupa of the Buddha. Afterwards, she hung herself. When that life had ended, she was born into another brahmin household. … She spoke these verses:

Ornaments, robes, perfumes, and flowers, I’ve offered with faith to the stūpa of Kassapa.

As a result of this merit, I now pay respect at the World-honored One’s feet.

Origin Story (continued)

The Buddha said: “From now on, you should make a bathing robe.” … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī makes a rains bathing 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

As explained in detail above in the rule about the vest.