Confession 153

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs applied perfume on their bodies. They also had others apply it and sexual desire arose in their minds. They weren’t happy to practise celibacy, and thereupon returned to lay life, or became non-Buddhist renunciates. When the lay people smelled the fragrance of their perfume, they criticized them: “These people apply perfume on their bodies, like prostitutes. 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 applies perfume on her body, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“Perfume” means perfume from roots, stalks, leaves, flowers, insects, or gum.

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

If it’s for treating an illness, or if she’s forced to apply it, the offense isn’t committed.