Mahāsaṅghika Vinaya

Bhikkhunī Pakiṇṇaka

Pakiṇṇaka 24

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, women from the Sakyan, Mallan, and Licchavi clans, and from aristocratic families, who had gone forth, knew well how to beautify people. Brides all came to be made up. So (the bhikkhunīs) received good food and drinks. Lay people blamed them: “These aren’t renunciates. They’re just makeup artists.” For this reason, the bhikkhunīs went and informed … The Buddha said: “From now on, it’s no longer allowed to beautify women. ‘Beautifying’ means if (a bhikkhunī) combs someone’s hair, applies eye makeup, powders their face, applies red lipstick, or makes them wear ornamented clothes, to make a living, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If she has a headache or eye pain, she may apply and wear medicine without offense.” This is called the rule on beautification.