Confession 87

The 87th training precept: Letting a man whisper into one’s ear.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Thullā bhikkhunī as before entered the city on almsround with correct deportment. She let men whisper into her ear. When people without faith and respect had seen them, they got upset, as explained in detail above, down to: “She must be on a date with them.” The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked and criticized, as explained in detail above, down to: “I’ll lay down another training precept. You should recite it like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī lets a man whisper into her ear, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

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

“Letting a man whisper into one’s ear” means receiving the man’s words with her ear.

“Pācittiya” is as before.

… if they let him, they all incur a pācittiya offense.