Confession 136

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā said to Jetā: “Spend the rains retreat here.” Then she went to a supporter’s house and praised her: “Jetā bhikkhunī is wise and virtuous, and she keeps the precepts. You should make offerings.” Then Jetā conducted herself with dignity, and when moving and looking around she didn’t forget about the rules. When (the supporters) saw her, happiness arose in their minds. … Later, (Thullanandā) criticized and irritated her.

For this reason, the bhikkhunīs went and informed the World-honored One. … She answered: “I really did this.” The Buddha said: “This is an unwholesome thing. … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī says to another bhikkhunī: “Venerable, spend the rains retreat in this place,” and later criticizes and irritates her, it’s a pācittiya.”

Explanation

If a bhikkhunī says: “Spend the rains retreat here,” and irritates her during the rains retreat, (it’s a pācittiya.) “Irritating” means either irritating her herself by body or speech, or having others do it by body or speech; this is a pācittiya. If the former person doesn’t keep the precepts, and the latter fears that she’ll act against the dhamma, then even if she sends her away, there’s no offense. If she sends a sikkhamāna or a sāmaṇerī away, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. Even if it’s a lay person, she transgresses against vinaya and should mentally repent. This is what the World-honored One said.