Confession 110

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, there was a sikkhamānā. She said to Thullanandā: “Venerable, I’m fully trained in the precepts. Give me the full ordination.” She replied: “Okay.” Later the sikkhamānā said: “Venerable, I’m fully trained in the precepts. Give me the full ordination.” Having heard that statement, (Thullanandā) neither gave her (the ordination) herself, nor had others give it, and also didn’t send her away. The bhikkhunīs said: “Earlier, you agreed to give her the full ordination. Why don’t you give it?” When she heard that, she still didn’t ordain her.

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and she fully informed the World-honored One 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 agree to give someone the full ordination, and then not give it? From now on, it’s no longer allowed.” The Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī: “Convene all the bhikkhunīs living in the vicinity of Sāvatthī. … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī says to a sikkhamānā: ‘When you’re fully trained in the precepts, I’ll give you the full ordination’, but later doesn’t give it, doesn’t have others give it, and also doesn’t send her away, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “A sikkhamānā” means someone who follows and practises the 18 matters during the two-year training. “Saying” means agreeing like Thullanandā bhikkhunī to give the full ordination, and later neither giving it, nor having others give it; this is a pācittiya. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī says to a sikkhamānā: “I’ll give you the full ordination,” but later isn’t able to do that, she should have others give it. If she neither gives it herself, nor has others give it, she should speak with her to make her go elsewhere to receive the full ordination. If a bhikkhunī agrees to give the full ordination to a sikkhamānā, and later doesn’t give it, it’s a pācittiya. If a bhikkhu agrees to give the full ordination to a sāmaṇera, and later doesn’t give it, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what the World-honored One said.