Confession 81

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs bathed naked. Lay people saw it, surrounded them, and made fun of them. When the senior bhikkhunīs heard 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:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī bathes naked, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

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

If it’s blocked off and people can’t come there, if she bathes in a secluded place, or if she’s concealed by a tree or a robe, in all cases the offense isn’t committed.

(80.) This is actually the 81st precept. The numbering is out of alignment, because precept no. 36 is missing in the vibhaṅga, but included in the pātimokkha.*