Confession 116

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs gave the full ordination to pregnant women. They entered the village on almsround and when the lay people saw them, they laughed at them and said: “These bhikkhunīs carry a heavy load, we should quickly give food.” Some said: “Just look at their bellies.” Others said: “They don’t observe celibacy.” And still others said: “They observe celibacy. This is a matter from the time before they went forth.” Then they criticized the bhikkhunīs: “Why didn’t you wait until you had given birth, and then go forth? By this, you’re disgracing the monastic life. The bhikkhunīs don’t know who is ordainable and who isn’t. This isn’t the practice of renunciates. They’ve broken the rules of renunciates.” When the senior bhikkhunīs heard 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 gives the full ordination to a pregnant woman, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

If she thinks about it, … when the formal act with a motion as fourth is finished, all is as explained above.

If she wants to give the full ordination, she should first look at her breasts. If there’s no sign of a baby, the offense isn’t committed.

If she only finds out that (the other) is pregnant after the ordination is finished, the offense also isn’t committed.