Confession 111

First Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Vesāli. At that time, Bhaddā Kāpilānī bhikkhunī rode in a nice, high vehicle to go to her relatives’ house. Lay people were upset: “Why do these renunciates go forth? They ride in nice, high vehicles like lay people, and have many such wishes.”

When the bhikkhunīs heard this, they 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.

Preliminary Ruling

From now on, it’s no longer allowed.”

Second Origin Story

At another time, there was a bhikkhunī, a woman from the Sakyan clan, who was wandering along a road. She was weak, old, and sick, and couldn’t reach her companion. Later she was robbed.

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 who isn’t sick rides in a vehicle, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Sick” means old, weak, or sick, or if ladies from wealthy families can’t walk. In these cases, the World-honored One said that there’s no offense. “A vehicle” means the eight kinds: … and a boat as vehicle; these are called the eight kinds. “Riding” means that she commits a pācittiya. It’s not allowed for a bhikkhunī who isn’t sick to ride in a vehicle. When she’s sick, she may not ride on a cart (drawn by) only oxen. She may ride on a cart (drawn by) cows, or ride female horses, or female camels. If she’s sick, and can’t discern if the animal is female or male, there’s no offense. If she rides on a boat to cross over a river, there’s no offense. She may go upstream or downstream if she has matters to attend to. If a bhikkhu who isn’t sick rides in a vehicle, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. This is what the World-honored One said.

Summary Verse

Not fully trained, without a formal act, a preceptor who doesn’t teach and instruct,

A student who doesn’t follow, taking on students every year,

Waiting overnight to give the full ordination, not sending someone away when there’s an issue,

Being angry and reproaching, agreeing to give the full ordination, and lastly riding in a vehicle,

The 11th chapter is finished.