Confession 88

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā had quarreled with the other bhikkhunīs. Resentful, she hit herself and scratched herself, wept loudly and cried.

When the bhikkhunīs heard this, they 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: “Why did you resentfully hit yourself, and then weep and cry? This is against the dhamma, against the vinaya, against the Buddha’s teaching. One can’t develop in wholesome states like this.” 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 hits herself, and then weeps and cries, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Hitting herself” means striking with the hand, beating with the fist, with a stick, with a clod of earth, or with a whip. If a bhikkhunī hits herself like this and then weeps, it’s a pācittiya. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī hits herself but doesn’t weep, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If she weeps but doesn’t hit, she also breaks a minor vinaya rule. If she hits herself and weeps, it’s a pācittiya. If she doesn’t hit and doesn’t weep, there’s no offense. If a bhikkhu hits himself and then weeps, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what the World-honored One said.