Confession 96

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī. At that time, a bhikkhunī gave the going forth and the full ordination to 10 and 12 year old girls. Then, these girls were weak, and couldn’t endure difficult situations. They didn’t fulfill purity, they didn’t conduct themselves properly, they didn’t know how to behave respectfully towards their preceptor and teachers. They didn’t know how to enter the village and the wilderness. They didn’t know how to be with the sangha, they didn’t know how to wear the robes and hold the bowl.

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, … 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: “From now on, it’s no longer allowed to give the full ordination to girls below 20.” 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 gives the full ordination to a girl who is less than 20 rains (i.e. years) old, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Less than 20 rains” means less than 20 years. This is called “less than 20 rains.” If a girl has less than 20 rains but has 20 calendar years, it’s still called “less than 20 rains”. If a girl was born in winter, and has 20 full winters, but hasn’t yet been through (that year’s) invitation (pavāraṇā) ceremony, it’s still called “less than 20 rains”. If a girl was born in spring, it’s the same. If a girl was born during the first rains retreat, and has 20 full first rains, but hasn’t yet been through (that year’s) invitation (pavāraṇā) ceremony, or if a girl was born during the second rains retreat, and has 20 full second rains, but hasn’t yet been through (that year’s) invitation (pavāraṇā) ceremony, it’s still called “less than 20 rains”. If a girl has less than 20 rains, and everyone thinks that that girl is below 20 and they still give her the full ordination, they all commit pācittiya offenses. That girl isn’t called fully ordained. If she has less than 20 rains, and half of the people think that she’s below 20, and the other half think that she’s 20, and they give her the full ordination, the ones who think that she’s below commit pācittiyas. Those who think she’s 20 incur no offense. That person is called fully ordained. If the girl has less than 20 rains, but everyone thinks that she’s 20, and they give her the full ordination, they all incur no offense. That person is called fully ordained.

If a girl has 20 rains, but has less than 20 years, it’s called “20 rains”. If a girl has 20 rains and 20 full years, or has 20 rains and more than 20 years, it’s called “20 rains”. If a girl was born in winter, and been through the invitation ceremonies of the rains retreat 20 times, may be given the full ordination. Spring is also the same.

If she was born during the first rains, and has been through the invitation ceremonies at the end of the first rains retreat; or was born during the second rains, and has been through the invitation ceremonies at the end of the second rains retreat, (it’s also the same). If a girl has 20 rains, and half of the people think that she’s below 20, and the other half think that she’s 20, the ones who think that she’s below break a minor vinaya rule. Those who think she’s 20 incur no offense. That person is called fully ordained. If the girl has 20 rains, but everyone thinks that she’s not 20, and they give her the full ordination, they all break a minor vinaya rule. That person isn’t called fully ordained. If everyone thinks that she’s 20, they all incur no offense. That person is called fully ordained rightly.

“A girl” means she hasn’t yet broken celibacy. If she receives the full ordination, it’s a pācittiya. If a girl wants to receive the full ordination in the Tathāgata’s dhamma, she should be asked: “When were you born?” If she doesn’t know, one should check the birth records. If there are none, one should ask the parents and relatives, and if they also don’t know, one should ask: “At the time of which king, the time of a great abundance, the time of a great famine?” If they again don’t know, one shouldn’t judge from their appearance. There are women who came from wealthy families, and who are young but look grown up. One should examine the bones and joints of her hands and feet. This is what the World-honored One said.