Confession 73

First Origin Story

At that time, some of the bhikkhunīs inserted one finger … five fingers into the vagina to wash it. They injured the tissue and blood came out. Because of this, they became sick. When the senior bhikkhunīs saw it, they criticized them in all kinds of ways, … “I now lay down a precept for the bhikkhunīs, as explained above. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Preliminary Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī washes her vagina with water, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Second Origin Story

As the Buddha hadn’t allowed to wash, it then stank and was dirty and unclean. During summer, insects emerged. Pajāpatī bhikkhunī, together with 500 bhikkhunīs, went to the Buddha, and told him: “World-honored One, our woman’s body stinks and is dirty. It’s proper to wash it with water. Please see to allowing it.” The Buddha told the bhikkhus: “I now allow that the bhikkhunīs clean themselves with water.” When the Buddha had allowed it, things happened again as before. When the bhikkhunīs saw it, they criticized them in all kinds of ways, … he told the bhikkhus, as explained above. “From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī washes her vagina with water, she should use the first joint of two fingers. If she exceeds that, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

For a sikkhamānā and a sāmaṇerī, it’s a dukkaṭa.

If an abscess grows inside her vagina, if insects enter, or if grass or a stone enters, and she uses more than the first joint of the fingers, the offense isn’t committed.