Confession 101

First Origin Story

At that time, Khemā bhikkhunī passed away. The bhikkhunīs built a relic stupa inside a bhikkhu monastery. Her disciples circumambulated it three times daily, cried, and said: “She’s the one who has offered us the dhamma. She’s the one who has offered us robes, food, beds, bedding, and medicines. How could she just leave us and pass away?” The bhikkhus became wearied, and were prevented from sitting meditation and practising the path.

Then Upāli came to the monastery and asked the bhikkhus who had lived there for a long time: “What is this sound?” They explained this matter in full. Upāli then had people destroy it. When the bhikkhunīs heard it, they said to each other: “We’ll all take sticks and beat this bhikkhu. If someone doesn’t go with us, we’ll not live together with her anymore.” Having said this, they all took sticks and went to the monastery. When they saw the bhikkhu, they surrounded him and wanted to beat him, and stop when he realized his mistake. They advanced towards Upāli on a narrow path, blocked him in front and from behind, raised their sticks and wanted to beat him. Upāli then flew with psychic powers to the Buddha and told him of this 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: “What you did is against the dhamma. Why does a bhikkhunī beat a bhikkhu!” 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:

First Preliminary Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī enters a bhikkhu residence, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Second Origin Story

There were bhikkhunīs who were wandering on a road and saw an empty monastery. They wanted to enter and pay respect, but they didn’t dare to enter. They told the Buddha of this matter. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter and told the bhikkhus: “I now allow the bhikkhunīs to enter an empty monastery. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Second Preliminary Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī enters a residence where there’s a bhikkhu, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Third Origin Story

There were bhikkhunīs who had some business to do in a monastery. They needed to enter, but they didn’t dare to. They told the Buddha of this matter. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter and told the bhikkhus: “I now allow bhikkhunīs, who have some business to do and need to enter a monastery, to tell a bhikkhu and to enter after the bhikkhu has allowed it. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Third Preliminary Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī enters a residence where there’s a bhikkhu without telling him, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Fourth Origin Story

There were bhikkhunīs who had some business to do and wanted to enter a monastery. The bhikkhus sat in meditation or slept, and they were unable to tell them. They told the Buddha of this matter. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter and told the bhikkhus: “I now allow the bhikkhunīs to advance and enter a monastery and to tell a bhikkhu when they see one. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Fourth Preliminary Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī enters a residence where there’s a bhikkhu, and when she sees him doesn’t tell him, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Fifth Origin Story

There were bhikkhunīs in immediate difficulties. They wanted to enter a monastery to avoid the difficulties, but they didn’t dare to. Some were abducted by criminals, and some were harmed by savage animals. They told the Buddha of this matter. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter and told the bhikkhus: “I now allow the bhikkhunīs to enter a monastery as they like when there’s an immediate difficulty. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī enters a residence where there’s a bhikkhu, and when she sees him doesn’t tell him, unless there’s an immediate difficulty, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

If she doesn’t see a bhikkhu and isn’t able to tell him, but enters, she needs to go and tell a bhikkhu when she sees one. The bhikkhu should evaluate it. If it’s a time when she can enter, he should allow her to enter. If it’s a time when she can’t enter, he shouldn’t allow her to enter.

If she sees him but doesn’t tell him, and if he doesn’t allow it but she enters, it’s a pācittiya.

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