Confession 137

Origin Story

At that time, in front of the monastery in the king’s park, the ground was very even, and soft, nice grass was growing. Many people often amused themselves there, and disturbed the bhikkhunīs sitting in meditation and practising the path. The bhikkhunīs became wearied, and then defecated and urinated there together, soiled it, and made it unclean, to drive away the groups of people. Later, many people came as usual to amuse themselves, and they soiled their hands, feet, clothes, and equipment, and said greatly angered: “Who has inundated this place with excrement and urine?” Someone told them: “The bhikkhunīs.” They all criticized them: “These renunciates seek the path and purity. Why did they pollute and soil such a nice place as this, and end people’s enjoyment?” 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 defecates or urinates on fresh grass, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

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

If it’s urgent or she’s sick, the offense isn’t committed.