Mahāsaṅghika Vinaya

Bhikkhunī Pakiṇṇaka

Pakiṇṇaka 25

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, women from the Sakyan, Mallan, and other great clans had gone forth. They planted blue lotus flowers and sold them. Lay people blamed them: “These aren’t renunciates, they’re just flower vendors.” For this reason, the bhikkhunīs went and informed the World-honored One … They answered: “We really did this.” The Buddha said: “From now on, it’s no longer allowed to make a living by planting and selling flowers. If a bhikkhunī makes a living by planting blue lotus flowers, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If they’re for a stupa or an offering to the Buddha, there’s no offense.” This is called the rule on blue lotus flowers.