Confession 148

The 148th training precept: Seeing a conflict and not advising to end it.

Origin Story

Location as before. Disputed issues arose among the bhikkhunīs. They divided into two groups, and didn’t cultivate wholesome qualities. They all went to Thullā bhikkhunī and told each other their opinions. Thullā bhikkhunī had the ability (to settle it) but didn’t make them stop. In the end, she didn’t advise them, and even competed herself. Thullā bhikkhunī said: “I now observe this. Will you submit to me or not?” 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 knows she has the ability, sees other bhikkhunīs quarrel, and doesn’t advise them to end it, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Thullanandā etc.

“Knowing one has the ability” means having the ability to settle it.

“Seeing other bhikkhunīs quarrel and not advising them to end it” means seeing bhikkhunīs forming factions and quarrel with each other, and not advising them with wholesome speech to make them stop.

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