Confession 131

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs told lay people of the bhikkhus’ faults: “This bhikkhu has broken the precepts, has broken proper conduct, has broken right view.” The bhikkhus heard it, were angry, and didn’t instruct them anymore. When the senior bhikkhunīs heard it, they criticized them in all kinds of ways, and told the Buddha 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 them in all kinds of ways: “Haven’t I already taught you the eight rules of respect?” 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 tells a lay person of a bhikkhu’s transgression, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

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

If a lay person has heard it earlier and asks her, she should ask back: “What have you heard?” If they answer: “I’ve heard such-and-such,” and the bhikkhunīs have also heard it like this, she can then answer truthfully and the offense isn’t committed.