Confession 80

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī. At that time there was Meghīya, a garlic merchant, who invited the bhikkhunī sangha to give them garlic. Then the group-of-six bhikkhunīs went to the garden to eat garlic, trampling it, and making a mess. Then the merchant came to trade garlic, saw that it was a mess, and asked the gardeners: “Why is it like this?” They answered: “The bhikkhunīs you earlier invited to give them garlic came, ate some here, and took some away. They made this mess.” The merchant became angry and said: “I invited them to give them garlic, but only for eating here. Why did they take some away, and made this mess?” When the bhikkhunīs heard this, they told Mahāpajāpatī, and she fully informed the World-honored One of this matter. … They answered: “We really did this.” The Buddha said to the bhikkhunīs: “This is an unwholesome thing. From now on, it’s no longer allowed to eat garlic.” … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī eats garlic, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Garlic” means planted garlic and (wild) mountain garlic. Similarly, all kinds of garlic may not be eaten. Both cooked and raw garlic are not allowed. Reheated garlic and garlic burnt to ashes are also not allowed. If the body has a wound, it’s allowed to apply it. When one has applied it, one must stay in a secluded place. When the wound has healed and been washed clean, one is allowed to return. This is what the World-honored One said.

Summary Verse

Someone else’s robe, a non-Buddhist robe, a vest, a lower robe, vest and lower robe have changed places. Lower robe is pācittiya 73, vest pācittiya 74.*

Bathing robe, kaṭhina, not bringing along a determined robe,

Cooking again, taking water and a fan, eating garlic, the eighth chapter.