Confession 102

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī. At that time, Kālī bhikkhunī gave the going forth to the wife of Sudinna, a minister of the king, and she gave her the training precepts. When she had previously lived in the household, she had become pregnant, and over time, her belly grew. The bhikkhunīs were upset and said: “You’ve received the training precepts and you’re pregnant; you should be expelled.” She answered: “Since I went forth, I don’t remember doing that thing.”

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and for this reason, she went and informed the World-honored One. The Buddha said: “Since she went forth, she doesn’t remember doing that thing. That happened at the time when she was a lay person.

Preliminary Ruling

When there’s such a case, one shouldn’t yet give her the full ordination. One should wait until she has given birth. If she gives birth to a girl, one should give her the full ordination when she gets up from the grass mat. If she gives birth to a boy, one should wait until he can be weaned, and afterwards give her the full ordination. If relatives and sisters say: “Give me the baby, I’ll raise it myself,” that should be done, and she should be given the full ordination.”

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 a married woman who has received the training precepts but hasn’t fully trained in them, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

As explained in detail above in the rule about “a girl who hasn’t fully trained in the precepts”.