Confession 102

Origin Story

At that time, bhikkhunīs who didn’t have 12 vassa yet, took on disciples. They weren’t able to instruct or assist them, and the students were ignorant and without knowledge, and unable to train in the precepts. 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, who doesn’t yet have 12 vassa, takes on a disciple, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“Not yet having 12 vassa” means it hasn’t been 12 years since her full ordination.

“Taking on a disciple” means acting as preceptor for someone.

If the wish to take on students arises in her mind, up to when the formal act with a motion as fourth isn’t yet finished, it’s a dukkaṭa. If the formal act with a motion as fourth is finished, it’s a pācittiya for the preceptor. For the other bhikkhunī teachers and the sangha, it’s a dukkaṭa.