Confession 105

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs gave the full ordination to married women, who, although they were 12 years old, were deaf, mute, and had all kinds of diseases. They were ignorant and without knowledge, and not able to train in the precepts. When the senior bhikkhunīs saw it, they criticized them in all kinds of ways, … “I now allow the bhikkhunīs to do a formal act with a motion as fourth to give a 12 year old married woman the full ordination. Someone who wants to receive the full ordination should go into the midst of the bhikkhunī sangha and say: ‘Venerables, may the sangha listen. I, So-and-so, am married, 12 years old, and request the full ordination from preceptor So-and-so. I now ask the sangha for the full ordination. It’d be good if the sangha gave me the full ordination out of compassion.’ Having asked like this three times, the bhikkhunīs should evaluate if she’s eligible or not. One bhikkhunī should do a formal act, based on the explanation above.” 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 gives a married woman who is 12 years old the full ordination, when the sangha hasn’t carried out a formal act, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

The remainder is as explained in “taking on a disciple”.

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