Confession 99

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, the World-honored One had laid down the precept that it’s not allowed to give the full ordination to someone who hasn’t fully trained. Then bhikkhunīs gave the full ordination to a girl of 20 rains, who had fully trained in the precepts since she was 18. The bhikkhunīs were upset and said: “Whether you fully trained in the precepts or not, who can know that?”

For this reason, the bhikkhunīs spoke with Mahāpajāpatī. … The Buddha said:

Preliminary Ruling

“From now on, a 20 year old girl who has fully trained in the precepts, and wants to receive the full ordination in the Tathāgata’s dhamma-vinaya to become a bhikkhunī, should first carry out a formal act to request permission. Then she should ask the sangha for the formal act (to confirm) that she has fully trained in the precepts, and may be fully ordained.

Saṅghakamma

The master of ceremony should say: “May the noble sangha listen. The 20 year old girl So-and-so has fully trained in the precepts, and wants to receive the full ordination in the Tathāgata’s dhamma-vinaya. If the right time has come for the sangha, So-and-so wants to ask the sangha (to confirm) that she has fully trained in the precepts, and may be fully ordained. May the noble sangha listen. The 20 year old girl So-and-so has fully trained in the precepts, and wants to ask the sangha (to confirm) that she has fully trained in the precepts, and may be fully ordained. The sangha accepts this, therefore you’re silent. This matter is remembered thus.”

The girl) should ask the sangha, kneeling and with joined palms: “May the noble sangha listen. I, So-and-so, a 20 year old girl, have fully trained in the precepts, and want to receive the full ordination in the Tathāgata’s dhamma-vinaya. Now I ask the sangha (to confirm) that I’ve fully trained and may receive the full ordination. May the sangha (confirm) that I’ve fully trained in the precepts, and may receive the full ordination out of compassion.” Like this three requests.

The master of ceremony should say: “May the noble sangha listen. The 20 year old girl So-and-so has fully trained in the precepts, and wants to receive the full ordination in the Tathāgata’s dhamma-vinaya to become a bhikkhunī. She has asked the sangha (to confirm) that she has fully trained and may receive the full ordination. If the right time has come for the sangha, may the sangha carry out the formal act for So-and-so (to confirm) that she has fully trained and may be fully ordained. This is the motion.

May the noble sangha listen. The 20 year old girl So-and-so has fully trained in the precepts, and wants to receive the full ordination in the Tathāgata’s dhamma-vinaya to become a bhikkhunī. She has asked the sangha (to confirm) that she has fully trained and may receive the full ordination. The sangha now confirms that So-and-so has fully trained, and may be fully ordained. If the noble sangha accepts (to confirm) that So-and-so has fully trained, and may be fully ordained, you should remain silent. If you don’t accept this, you should speak. This is the first announcement.” A second and third time are recited in the same way. “The sangha has carried out the formal act (to confirm) that So-and-so has fully trained. The sangha accepts this, therefore you’re silent. This matter is remembered thus.”

Origin Story (continued)

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 someone, who has fully trained in the precepts, without a formal act, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“Fully trained in the precepts” means to follow and practise the 18 matters for two rains. “Without a formal act” means not carrying out the formal act. Giving her the full ordination is a pācittiya. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. This is what the World-honored One said.

Mahāsaṅghika Vinaya, 38th fascicle.