Confession 95

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs were wandering in a frightening place within their country without anyone to protect them, and were robbed by evil people. 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:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī wanders alone without someone to rely on in a frightening place within her country, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

Even if many bhikkhunīs wander together, if they’ve no strong lay companion, it’s called “wandering alone”.

If she goes from one village to another, or if she wanders half a yojana where there’s no village, it’s a pācittiya.

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

If she’s in immediate difficulties, or if (the companion) leaves her, in both cases the offense isn’t committed.