Confession 143

The 143rd training precept: Not keeping a menstrual robe.

Origin Story

At Sāvatthī. When the bhikkhunīs went on almsround, blood flowed on the under-robe they were wearing and stained it. Brahmin householders saw it, and they were all upset. The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus about this matter, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha said: “The defilements haven’t been eliminated yet and flow according to kamma. Women emit impure fluid every month. The bhikkhunīs should keep a menstrual robe.” In this way, the World-honored One laid down (a precept) to keep a menstrual robe. Thullanandā didn’t keep one according to the instructions. The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked if it was true, and criticized her, as explained in detail, down to: “I’ll lay down another training precept. You should recite it like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī doesn’t keep a menstrual robe, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

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

“Not keeping a menstrual robe” means an under-robe.

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