Suspension 5

First Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī. At that time, Rāṣṭrā bhikkhunī’s younger sister, who had gone to another village when she got married, fell sick. She sent a message to summon Rāṣṭrā: “Come soon to see me, while I haven’t died yet, so we may see each other once more.” Then she immediately went to see her. While she was on the way and hadn’t arrived yet, the sister passed away. When she arrived, her sister’s husband said to Rāṣṭrā: “You sister has died. Who will do the household chores and look after the children? Please, Rāṣṭrā, manage the household for me in your sister’s place.” The bhikkhunī thought: “This man has said a bad thing. Maybe he’ll try to keep me by force.” Then she became fearful, and pretending to agree, she went outside. She directly returned to Sāvatthī and told the other bhikkhunīs: “How unexpected! Someone nearly destroyed my monastic life!” The bhikkhunīs asked: “What happened?” So she fully told them the matter.

When the bhikkhunīs heard this, they told Mahāpajāpatī, and she fully informed the World-honored One 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, World-honored One.” The Buddha said: “Why did you walk alone on a road?

First Preliminary Ruling

From now on, it’s no longer allowed to walk alone.”

Second Origin Story

At another time, the bhikkhunīs were walking on a road. A young bhikkhunī left the path to relieve herself behind the others. Some merchants came and saw that the bhikkhunī was graceful. Then they held her back and asked: “You’re young and graceful, you really should indulge in desires. Why did you go forth? Please tell us the reason.” The bhikkhunī said: “What’s the use of asking me why I went forth?” They repeated: “That’s not true. There ought to be a reason you can tell us.” She answered again as before. In this way, they toyed with her and after a moment let her go. When she had reached the village, doubts and remorse arose in her mind, and she told Mahāpajāpatī.

Mahāpajāpatī then fully informed the World-honored One of this matter. The Buddha said:

Second Preliminary Ruling

“If it was involuntary, there’s no offense.”

Third Origin Story

At another time, bhikkhunīs were walking on a path together. A bhikkhunī fell sick and didn’t reach her companions. Having walked alone behind, doubts and remorse arose in her mind, and she told Mahāpajāpatī.

Mahāpajāpatī then fully informed the World-honored One of this matter. The Buddha said: “If she’s sick, there’s no offense.” The Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī: “Convene all the bhikkhunīs living in the vicinity of Sāvatthī. … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī walks without a bhikkhunī companion, she may not leave the village boundary, except at a suitable time. A suitable time means if it’s involuntary, or if she’s sick. This is called a suitable time. This is an immediate saṅghādisesa offense.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Without a bhikkhunī companion” means walking on a path alone, as a single person, as explained in detail above. “Except at a suitable time” means that if it was involuntary or she was sick, the World-honored One said that there’s no offense. “A saṅghādisesa” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī when walking on a path, hasn’t yet left the boundary, there’s no offense. If she reaches the village or city boundary, she should walk within an arm’s length (of the boundary). If she leaves the arm’s length with one foot, it’s a thullaccaya. If she leaves it with both feet, it’s a saṅghādisesa. If one person stays alone on the boundary (line), it’s a thullaccaya. If while she does this, another person crosses it, it’s a thullaccaya. This is what the World-honored One said.