Confession 93

Origin Story

At that time, when the rains retreat had ended, the bhikkhunīs didn’t invite the bhikkhu sangha with regards to offenses seen, heard, or suspected. There was nobody instructing them, they were ignorant and without knowledge, and weren’t able train in the precepts. The senior bhikkhunīs criticized them in all kinds of ways, and told the Buddha of the matter. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter and asked the bhikkhunīs: “Did you really do this?” They answered: “We really did this, World-honored One.” The Buddha criticized them in all kinds of ways: “Haven’t I already taught the eight rules of respect: A bhikkhunī, when the rains retreat has ended, should invite the bhikkhu sangha with regards to offenses seen, heard, or suspected?” Having criticized them, he told the bhikkhus: “I now lay down a precept for the bhikkhunīs. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī, when the rains retreat has ended, doesn’t invite the bhikkhu sangha with regards to offenses seen, heard, or suspected, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

If the sangha doesn’t gather in harmony, or if there are the eight difficulties, the offense isn’t committed.

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