Suspension 6

First Origin Story

The Buddha was staying at Rājagaha. In Rājagaha, there was a man called Kammāra-putta (the smith’s son) who took Kammāra-dhītā (the smith’s daughter) as his wife. They were a graceful and young couple. She served food to her husband. At the right time, the World-honored One put on his robes for entering the village, took his bowl, entered the city on continuous almsround, and came to their house. The wife thought: “If my husband sees the Buddha, he’ll surely get up to look at him, which will interfere with his meal and drinks. I’ll stand in the door.” But he had a karmic connection with the Buddha. Then the World-honored One emitted a brilliant light to illuminate the inside of their house. The husband looked up. When he saw the Buddha, he immediately told his wife: “You’re greatly unvirtuous, and you only wish for my decline.” His wife said: “I don’t wish to harm you. I just feared that when you saw the World-honored One, it’d interfere with your meal.” Her husband said angrily: “Women’s feelings are so shallow. Wishing for a small benefit, you caused no small harm.” The wife said to the husband: “Young man of a great family, allow me to go forth.” The husband asked the wife: “In which renunciate movement do you want to go forth?” The wife said: “I want to go forth in the Buddha’s dhamma.” The husband said: “I’ll allow you.” Then she went to Uppala(vaṇṇā) bhikkhunī and requested the going forth. She received the going forth and the full ordination. In the first and last parts of the night she practised diligently without negligence, and on the eighth day, she attained the ending of all taints. She knew for herself that she had realized awakening, the threefold knowledge, the six higher knowledges, and liberation of the mind, by sitting under a tree. Then Sakka, the king of gods, came to her and spoke these verses:

King Sakka and his retinue came down to pay respect with their heads at your feet,

To see this Kammāra-dhītā who went forth eight days ago

Under Uppalavaṇṇā bhikkhunī, her taints ended, awakened, with the six knowledges,

She has accomplished what was to be done, by the power of merit, her mind is liberated,

She subdued the roots of passion, sitting under a tree with eyes closed.

Therefore, we now pay respect to you, field of merit for the world.

The bhikkhunī had a beautiful, clear voice, and was able to recite verses of praise of the Buddha. Lay-buddhists invited her to come. When she recited, their minds were overjoyed, and they offered her a large piece of good cotton. Then the gods in the heavens spoke these verses:

Now you obtained a good gift, its merits are deep and lofty,

With all defilements ended, you received this robe-offering in purity.

Now, women of Rājagaha with clear faith,

Why don’t you invite her to come and teach you, with the sound of the subtle, marvelous dhamma?

Those familiar with it can overcome suffering, but if you don’t invite her, she won’t speak.

Having heard it, and practising accordingly, you can reach the most sublime place.

At that time, people from many families invited her to recite. When they heard her and were happy, she received many offerings. Jealousy arose in the minds of the other bhikkhunīs, and they said: “These seductive songs and verses confuse the minds of the people.”

For this reason, the bhikkhunīs went and informed the World-honored One. The Buddha said: “Summon that bhikkhunī.” When she came, he asked her: “Did you really create worldly songs and verses?” She answered: “I don’t know any worldly songs and verses.” The Buddha said: “This bhikkhunī doesn’t sing worldly songs and verses.

Past Life Story

In the past, there was a king in the city of Vārāṇasī called Kikī, who had seven daughters. The first was called Samaṇā, the second Samaṇamittā, the third Bhikkhunī, the fourth Bhikkhunīdāsī, the fifth Dhammamittā, the sixth Sudhammā, and the seventh Saṅghadāsī. They made a vow in the presence of Kassapa Buddha. To be explained in detail as in the sutta about the seven daughters.

First Origin Story (continued)

Then people again made the bhikkhunī come, and she spent a night alone away from the group. A bhikkhunī told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went and informed the World-honored One of this matter. The Buddha said: “Summon that bhikkhunī.” When she came, he asked her: “Did you really spend a night alone away from the group?” She answered: “I really did this.” The Buddha said:

First Preliminary Ruling

“From now on, it’s no longer allowed to spend a night alone away from the group.”

Second Origin Story

At another time, king Viḍūḍabha punished Kapilavatthu. Should be explained in detail. At that time, the bhikkhunīs spent a night alone outside the city. …

Second Preliminary Ruling

“Unless there’s trouble caused by kings.”

Third Origin Story

At another time, the bhikkhunīs were walking on a road. An old and sick (bhikkhunī) couldn’t reach her companions and spent a night alone. Doubts and remorse arose in her mind, and she asked Mahāpajāpatī. Mahāpajāpatī then went and informed the World-honored One of this matter. The Buddha said: “If she didn’t want it, there’s no offense.” The Buddha told Mahāpajāpatī Gotamī: “Convene all the bhikkhunīs living in the vicinity of Sāvatthī. … Those who have already heard it should listen again:

Final Ruling

If a bhikkhunī spends a night away from other bhikkhunīs, except at a suitable time, —a suitable time means: if she’s sick, or if the city is surrounded by criminals and rebels. This is called a suitable time,— it’s an immediate (saṅghādisesa) offense.”

Explanation

“A bhikkhunī” is as explained above. “Spending a night” means from before sunset to dawn. “Except at a suitable time” means if she didn’t want to spend a night away, if she’s old, weak, or sick, or if the city is surrounded by criminals and rebels, and she’s either in the city and can’t leave, or outside the city and can’t enter. This is called a suitable time. This is an immediate saṅghādisesa offense. “A saṅghādisesa” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī spends a night away from other bhikkhunīs, from before sunset to dawn, it’s a saṅghādisesa. If she leaves them from after sunset to dawn, it’s a thullaccaya. If bhikkhunīs spend the night in a shared room in a monastery, they should be within arm’s reach of each other. In the night, they should check on each other three times with the hand. It’s not allowed to check three times in one go. They should do it once in the first watch of the night, once in the middle watch, and once in the last watch. If a bhikkhunī doesn’t check in the first watch, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If she doesn’t check in the middle watch, she also breaks a minor vinaya rule. If she doesn’t check in the last watch, she also breaks a minor vinaya rule. If she checks at all times, there’s no offense. If one spends the night on an upper level of a sleeping platform, and the other spends it on a lower level, they should go to each other three times per night. In this way, they should spend the night in a monastery. (If they don’t,) it’s a thullaccaya. This is what the World-honored One said.