Confession 91

The 91st training precept: Cursing.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then the group-of-twelve bhikkhunīs went to the house of a brahmin householder, some on almsround, some to visit the sick, some to speak on the dhamma. When they had reached that house, the lay people saw them, came, paid respect, and reverently said: “Noble ones are truly difficult to encounter. We’re fortunate to be able to see the noble ones coming into our house. Please often come here out of compassion, and let us look upon you.” When the bhikkhunīs saw how they praised and admired them, and called them “Noble ones”, each bolstered her “I”-conceit, and gave rise to great pride. The lay people also said: “We fear that the noble ones leave and not come back. You must set up a curse to make you come back.” The bhikkhunīs said: “If we leave and not come back, may our practice of pure precepts not be fruitful.” Then they cursed their own monastic life, and many were upset. The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked and criticized, as explained in detail, down to: “I’ll lay down another training precept. You should recite it like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī curses her own monastic life, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” is as above.

“Her own monastic life” means not engaging in blameworthy things.

“Cursing” means speaking a curse oneself, as explained above.

… they all incur a pācittiya offense.

If they plan the offense, it’s as usual.