Confession 74

The 74th training precept: Shaving the hair in the hidden place.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Thullanandā bhikkhunī shaved her armpit and pubic hair in a visible location. The other bhikkhunīs saw her and asked: “Who shaved their armpit hair and threw it away in this place?” Thullā bhikkhunī said: “It was me.” The bhikkhunīs asked again: “For what reason?” She answered: “Armpit hair annoys me, so I shaved it off.” The bhikkhunīs said: “Noble one, is this a pure action?” She replied: “Pure or impure, I’ve already shaved it.” The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha said to Thullanandā bhikkhunī: “Did you really shave your armpit hair?” She answered: “I really did, Venerable.” The World-honored One criticized her in all kinds of ways, to be explained in detail, down to: For my bhikkhunī disciples, I’ll lay down another training precept in the vinaya. It should be recited like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī shaves the hair in the hidden place, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Thullanandā bhikkhunī, or any other bhikkhunī.

“The hidden place” means the unrevealed place.

“Shaving the hair” means removing her hair.

“Pācittiya” is as before.

Herein, what are the factors for committing this offense? If bhikkhunīs shave the hair in the hidden place, they all incur a pācittiya offense.