Confession 100

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs, at the half-monthly uposatha, didn’t come to the bhikkhu sangha to ask for an instructor. Because nobody instructed them, they were ignorant and without knowledge, and weren’t able to train in the precepts. When the senior bhikkhunīs saw it, they 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 the bhikkhunīs in all kinds of ways: “Haven’t I already taught the eight rules of respect and taught you to ask for an instructor every half-month?” 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 doesn’t ask for an instructor every half-month in the sangha, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

If a sikkhamānā and a sāmaṇerī don’t seek instruction and confess transgressions, it’s a dukkaṭa.

If she invites but doesn’t obtain (instruction), or if she’s sick, the offense isn’t committed.

(100.)