Confession 95

The 95th training precept: Not informing about bedding when speaking on the dhamma at a lay house.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Thullanandā bhikkhunī often went to a brahmin householder’s family to speak on the dhamma to them. When the lady of the house saw the bhikkhunī coming, her respect increased and she laid out an excellent seat. The bhikkhunī then spoke on the deep meaning of the suttas. When she heard the dhamma, (the lady) was worried about household matters and apprehensive that it was taking so long. She thought: “I’ve got worldly chores and can’t stay longer.” Then she got up and left. When the bhikkhunī had finished speaking on the suttas, she didn’t see or hear (the lady). So she left that seat and silently went away. Later a criminal came and stole the sitting equipment. The lady saw the bhikkhunī and requested her sitting equipment. The bhikkhunī said: “I didn’t see you at that time, so I left the seat behind and returned (to the monastery).” 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 speaks on the dhamma in a lay house, and when leaving doesn’t inform the owner to collect the bedding, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” is as above.

“Speaking on the dhamma” means explaining the meaning of the suttas.

“Bedding” means laid out seats and sleeping items.

“Not informing when leaving” means without letting the owner know.

The explanations of the rule factors etc. are as explained in detail before.