Confession 76

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, the bhikkhunī sangha asked Thullanandā: “Can you ask for a kaṭhina robe for the sangha?” She answered: “I can.” Then she went to a faithless household, and said: “People of great merit, can you offer a kaṭhina robe to the sangha?” They answered: “We can.” After the sangha had done the pavāraṇā ceremony, they asked Thullanandā: “Have you obtained the kaṭhina robe?” She answered: “I’ll see to it.” Then she went to that household and said: “Long-lived ones, have you prepared the kaṭhina robe?” They answered: “We’ll see to it.” (The sangha) continued to go and ask her, and the bhikkhunī (Thullanandā) said again: “I’ll see to it.” In that way, the robe season passed.

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, the Buddha asked her: “Did you really do this?” She answered: “I really did this.” The Buddha said: “Why did you go to a household that couldn’t prepare the robe to ask for a kaṭhina robe for the sangha? From now on, it’s no longer allowed.” 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 goes to a household that can’t prepare a robe, and asks for a kaṭhina robe for the sangha, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Faithless” means without means to give, a place where the expectations are low. “A robe” means a woolen robe, a cotton robe, … a linen robe. “Asking” means asking for a kaṭhina robe for the sangha. When the robe season is over and one hasn’t obtained it, it’s a pācittiya. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī is able to ask for a kaṭhina robe for the sangha, she should consider well who to ask, and not go to a faithless household to ask. She should go to a faithful household with many family members to ask. If people previously said: “We’ll see to it ourselves,” she should speak with them again: “Will you definitely give it? Don’t let the robe season go by.” She also should expect that those people might not be able to prepare it. Then she should ask at other places. And she should assess, and not ask for offerings to the sangha from someone who can’t prepare them. If someone has already been authorized by the sangha to ask for the robe, and doesn’t make an effort to ask herself, nor has others ask, and also doesn’t tell the sangha, but lets the robe season pass, it’s a pācittiya. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhu goes to a faithless household to ask for a kaṭhina robe for the sangha, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what the World-honored One said.