Confession 210

Origin Story

At that time, the bhikkhunīs privately discussed with each other: “Will we, having gone forth, attain the final goal? Will we not attain the final goal? Should we disrobe? Should we not disrobe? If we disrobe, will we obtain a good husband? How many children will we have? What will their appearance and wealth be like?” Because they had such discussions, worldly feelings arose, and they were no longer happy on the path. Thereupon, they returned to lay life, or became non-Buddhist renunciates. When the senior bhikkhunīs heard it, they criticized them in all kinds of ways: “Why do bhikkhunīs engage in worldly discussions, and therefore forget the intentions of the path?” … “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 goes along with worldly discussions, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

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

(End of the 207 rules.) This is actually the 210th precept. The numbering is out of alignment.*