Confession 116

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, the bhikkhunī Gartodara’s mother just entered the room of the bhikkhu Gartodara’s father without announcing herself first, and rubbed his back. He turned around to investigate and seeing her, he said: “Hey! Get away from me!” The bhikkhunī said: “Formerly I often gave you a bath. Now I’m just rubbing you, where’s the problem?” He said: “Back then we were lay people, now we’ve gone forth, and may not act as before.”

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went to the World-honored One, and informed him 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 enter a bhikkhu residence without informing them first? From now on, it’s no longer allowed.” … “Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī enters a bhikkhu monastery without informing them first, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “A bhikkhu monastery” means even just a single bhikkhu’s residence. “Without informing them first” means without speaking or calling first. “Entering” means like the bhikkhunī Gartodara’s mother; this is a pācittiya. “Pācittiya” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī wants to enter a bhikkhu’s residence, she should go to the door of the building, and should first say: “Venerables, a bhikkhunī informs you that she requests permission to enter.” The bhikkhus should then assess whether that bhikkhunī is a wise and virtuous person, and whether they themselves aren’t dealing with an issue, and are all properly dressed. Then she should be allowed to enter. If they’re dealing with an issue, or someone is working with mud, or is naked, they should say: “Sister, wait a little.” They should call out: “Venerables, a bhikkhunī wants to enter. May everyone put on their clothes.” If a bhikkhunī isn’t virtuous and without proper conduct, they should say: “Don’t enter, we’re dealing with an issue.” If a first bhikkhunī enters without informing them first, it’s a pācittiya. For the ones following her, there’s no offense. If while entering without informing them she lifts one foot, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. When she has lifted both feet, it’s a pācittiya. If she turns back and leaves, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If a bhikkhu enters a bhikkhunī’s residence without speaking first, he breaks a minor vinaya rule. He should wait at the door of the building, and send a female attendant to inform them. This is what the World-honored One said.