Expulsion 6

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Vesālī, where he was venerated by and received offerings from gods and humans. As explained in detail above. At that time, Rāṣṭrapālā bhikkhunī was teaching a son of a Licchavi family the suttas. … He said: “Even towards other renunciates who wear monastic robes, I don’t give rise to such mindstates. How much less then towards the teacher whom I respect so much?” The bhikkhunī said: “If you don’t do it, then stay close to me, talk with me, hold my hand, and hold my robes. When you come I’m happy and will ask you to sit down. We’ll turn our bodies towards each other, and arrange walks together.” He answered: “Just that is fine.” When they had obtained enjoyment in this way, they did it again and again without stopping. As the World-honored One said: “When we think about the body, don’t forget that a defiled mind arises, such as a woman thinking about men, or a man thinking about women.”

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and for this reason, she went and informed the World-honored One. The Buddha said: “Summon Rāṣṭrapālā bhikkhunī.” When she came, the Buddha fully asked her about the above matter: “Did you really do these things?” She answered: “I really did this.” The Buddha said: “This is an unwholesome thing. Why did you with a defiled mind, stay within arm’s reach of a man with an defiled mind … make arrangements together? From now on it’s no longer allowed with a defiled mind to stay within arm’s reach of a man with an defiled mind … make arrangements together .” The Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī: “Convene all the bhikkhunīs living in the vicinity of Vesālī. For 10 benefits, I lay down a precept for the bhikkhunīs. … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī with a defiled mind stays within arm’s reach of a man with a defiled mind, talks with him, lets him hold her hand, hold her robes, is happy when he comes, asks him to sit down, turns her body, and goes to appointments with him, that bhikkhunī is pārājika, and shouldn’t live in community.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “A a bhikkhunī with a defiled mind and a man with a defiled mind” means both have a lustful mind. “Staying within arm’s reach” means the area where an extended hand can reach. “Talking” means whispering in the ear. “Letting him hold her hand” means he either holds her hand, her wrist, her thumb, or her fingers. “Holding her robes” means the saṅghāṭī, uttarāsaṅga, antaravāsaka, saṅkacchika, and rains (bathing) robe. “Happy when he comes” means she welcomes him, and rejoices when he comes often. “Asking him to sit down” means saying: “I’ve already laid out beds and mats for sitting.” “Turning her body” means leaning it towards his body. “Goes to appointments” means in front of the shops, at parks and ponds, or at places where people frequently go to. That bhikkhunī is pārājika, and shouldn’t live in community. “A pārājika” is as explained above.

If a bhikkhunī with a defiled mind is within arm’s reach of a man with an defiled mind, talks together with him, lets him hold her hand, hold her robes, is happy when he comes, asks him to sit down, turns her body, and arranges walks together, that bhikkhunī is pārājika, and shouldn’t live in community. If it’s with an impotent man or a woman, it’s a thullaccaya. If the bhikkhunī has a defiled mind and the man has an undefiled mind, it’s also a pārājika. If it’s an impotent man or a woman, it’s a thullaccaya. If the bhikkhunī has an undefiled mind and the man has a defiled mind, it’s a thullaccaya. If it’s an impotent man or a woman, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If both have undefiled minds, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If it’s an impotent man or a woman, she transgresses against vinaya and should mentally repent. If a bhikkhunī with a defiled mind stays within arm’s reach of a man with an defiled mind, … and arranges walks together, it’s a pārājika. If she commits the eight things one by one in order, it’s a pārājika. If she commits all of them but not in order, it’s also a pārājika. If she commits one and then confesses, it’s a thullaccaya. If after the confession, she commits it again, then up to the seventh it’s a thullaccaya. When she has completed the eighth, it’s a pārājika. This is what was said.