Confession 85

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, there was a couple, husband and wife. In the middle of the day, they were inside a room, thinking that nobody was there, and wanting to have sex. Then Thullanandā bhikkhunī, without calling out first, suddenly entered. When the husband saw her, he got angry: “You prevented me from following my desires.” He had an errection. He then chased the bhikkhunī, trying to get hold of her. She rushed out in fear, and returned to her dwelling place. She told the other bhikkhunīs: “Today, I almost broke my celibacy.”

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.” The Buddha said: “This is an unwholesome thing. Why did you knowingly enter a house where people are “eating” (having sex) without calling out first? 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 knowingly doesn’t call out first before entering a house where people are “eating” (having sex), it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Knowingly” means knowing oneself or hearing it from others. “Eating” means a woman is the husband’s food, and a husband is the woman’s food (i.e. they’re having sex). “House” means a noble house, a brahmin house, a merchant house, or a worker house. “Not calling out first” means entering without calling out first is a pācittiya. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī doesn’t call out first, she may not enter. If she wants to enter, she should tell the gate-keeper: “I want to enter.” If having spoken to the gate-keeper, he replies: “You may enter,” she may then enter. If the gate-keeper hasn’t returned, she may not enter. If she hears words and sounds from inside a room, she should snap her fingers, or tap her feet to make noise. If the others become silent, she may not enter. If the come out to greet her, she may enter. If a bhikkhu enters without calling out first, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what the World-honored One said.