Suspension 18

Origin Story

The Buddha was staying in Sāvatthī. At that time, the World-honored One had laid down the precept that it’s not allowed to live closely together. Then Nandā, the Sakyan woman, and Uttarā bhikkhunī lived separated. Thullanandā bhikkhunī said: “Venerables, just live closely together, cover up each other’s transgressions, don’t live apart from each other. It doesn’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. There are also other people who live closely together like this, and the sangha is unable to stop them. It’s just because they don’t take you seriously that they restrain you.” The bhikkhunīs admonished her: “Venerable, don’t say this: ‘Just live closely together, cover up each other’s transgressions, don’t live apart from each other. It doesn’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. … It’s just because they don’t take you seriously that they restrain you.’” When she was admonished for the first time like this, she didn’t stop. At the second and third admonishment, she also didn’t stop.

The bhikkhunīs told Mahāpajāpatī, and she went to the World-honored One, and informed him of this matter. The Buddha said: “Nandā, the Sakyan woman, and Uttarā bhikkhunī live apart. Thullanandā bhikkhunī instructs them to make them live closely together, and (claims that) it doesn’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. She should be admonished three times in a secluded place, three times among a few people, and three times within the sangha to make her give up this matter. “Admonishing in a secluded place” means you should say: ‘Thullanandā, did you really say to Nandā bhikkhunī and Uttarā bhikkhunī: “Just live closely together, and cover up each other’s transgressions, don’t live apart from each other. It doesn’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. There are also other people who live closely together like this, and the sangha is unable to stop them. It’s just because they don’t take you seriously that they restrain you.”’ If she answers: ‘I really said this,’ then she should be admonished: ‘Don’t say this: “Just live closely together, cover up each other’s transgressions, don’t live apart from each other. It doesn’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. There are also other people who live closely together like this, and the sangha is unable to stop them. It’s just because they don’t take you seriously that they restrain you.” I now admonish you out of compassion, wanting to benefit you. One admonishment is over, two remain. Do you give it up?’ If she answers: ‘I don’t give it up,’ she should be admonished like this a second and third time. “Among a few people” is also an admonishment like this. If she doesn’t give it up, you should carry out a formal act to request permission within the sangha. You should announce:

Saṅghakamma

‘May the noble sangha listen. Thullanandā bhikkhunī has instructed Nandā, the Sakyan woman, and Uttarā bhikkhunī that living closely together, and covering up each other’s transgressions doesn’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. She has been admonished three times in a secluded place, and three times among a few people, but she hasn’t given it up. If the right time has come for the sangha, the sangha should now admonish her three times to make her give up this matter.’ Within the sangha, you should ask: ‘Thullanandā, did you really instruct them to live closely together? … The sangha now admonishes you out of compassion, wanting to benefit you. One admonishment is over, two remain. Do you give up this matter?’”

Origin Story (continued)

She answered: “I don’t give it up.” At the second and third admonishment, she also didn’t give it up.

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 do this?” She answered: “I really did this.” The Buddha said: “This is an unwholesome thing. …” 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 sees that they’re living apart from each other, and instructs them: ‘You should live closely together, and cover up each other’s offenses. Don’t live away from each other. It doesn’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. There are also other people who live closely together like this, and the sangha is unable to stop them. It’s just because they don’t take you seriously that they restrain you,’ the bhikkhunīs should admonish that bhikkhunī: ‘Venerable, So-and-so and So-and-so live apart from each other. Don’t instruct them to live closely together, to hide each other’s transgressions, and (claim that) living closely together won’t obstruct the arising of wholesome states. Don’t say: “There are also other people who live closely together like this, and the sangha is unable to stop them. It’s just because they don’t take you seriously, that they restrain you.”’ If that bhikkhunī when admonished by the bhikkhunīs persists firmly, and doesn’t give it up, she should be admonished a second and a third time. If she gives it up, it’s fine. If not, this rule is a saṅghādisesa after three admonishments.”

Explanation

“Living apart from each other” means like Nandā, the Sakyan woman, and Uttarā bhikkhunī. “Instructing” means like Thullanandā bhikkhunī. “Living closely together” means closely together by body, by speech, and by body and speech. “Hiding” means the bodily and verbal transgressions. The first one’s bodily and verbal transgressions are hid and covered up by the second, and the second one’s bodily and verbal transgressions are hid and covered up by the first. “That bhikkhunī” means like Thullanandā bhikkhunī. “The bhikkhunīs” means the sangha, a few people, or one person. “Three admonishments” means in a secluded place three times, among a few people three times, and within the sangha three times. “Admonishing in a secluded place” means that you should ask in a secluded place: “Did you really instruct bhikkhunīs So-and-so and So-and-so: ‘Don’t live away from each other. … ?’” If she answers: ‘I really said this,’ then you should admonish her in a secluded place: “Don’t do this. Venerable, So-and-so and So-and-so are living apart. You taught them to live closely together. …” If, at the first admonishment, she doesn’t stop, and at the second and third admonishments, she also doesn’t stop, then it should be done in the same way among a few people. If within the sangha she doesn’t stop after three admonishments, then this rule is a saṅghādisesa after three admonishments. “A saṅghādisesa” is as explained above. If a bhikkhunī is admonished three times in a secluded place, for each admonishment she breaks a minor vinaya rule. If she’s admonished three times among a few people, for each admonishment she breaks a minor vinaya rule. Within the sangha, during the first admonishment, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. When the admonishment is over, it’s a thullaccaya. During the second admonishment, she breaks a minor vinaya rule. When the admonishment is over, it’s a thullaccaya. During the third admonishment, it’s a thullaccaya. When the admonishment is over, it’s a saṅghādisesa. When she has broken the saṅghādisesa, all minor vinaya breaches and thullaccayas from the secluded place, from among a few people, and from within the sangha are cleared with the saṅghādisesa procedure. If she stops in between, then they should be dealt with according to the point where she stopped. This is what was said.