Confession 149

The 149th training precept: Departing from one’s residence without informing.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Thullanandā bhikkhunī departed from her old residence without informing anyone, and went wandering among the people with bhikkhunī companions. After she had left, a fire broke out, and the monastery burnt down. Their robes, bowls, and possessions were all completely burnt. When the bhikkhunīs later returned to the monastery and saw that a fire had burnt it, the other bhikkhunīs said to them: “Noble ones, when you left, why didn’t you inform us? Items offered to the sangha were burnt by the fire.” Thullā bhikkhunī said: “I’d rather let a fire burn my things than give them to you to use.” The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked if it was true, and criticized them, as explained in detail, down to: “I’ll lay down another training precept. You should recite it like this:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī departs from her residence and doesn’t inform anyone, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Thullanandā etc.

“Departing from her residence” means a building in a bhikkhunī monastery.

“Not informing” means not telling other people when she leaves.

The remainder is as explained before.