Confession 181

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs went to lay houses without wearing their vests saṅkaccika.*. A wind blew away their upper robe and exposed their bodies. When the lay people saw it, they messed around, and spoke coarse, unwholesome words. At this, (the bhikkhunīs) became ashamed. 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 enters a lay house without wearing her vest, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

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

When she washes, dyes, beats, or sews it, or if she doesn’t have one, in all cases the offense isn’t committed.

(180.) This is actually the 181st precept. The numbering is out of alignment.*