Confession 150

The 150th training precept: Learning spells from a lay person.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Thullanandā bhikkhunī learned magic arts from a lay person knowledgeable in spells. The spell said: “Xili xili pu suohe.” Having learned it once, she learned it again. The bhikkhunīs told her: “Noble one, we originally heard that you’re a superior person, intelligent, with vast knowledge, with extensive realizations, with a strong memory, reciting the three baskets. Why do you repeatedly make this person teach you a minor spell?” Thullā bhikkhunī said: “It’s not that I can’t remember. I love that person and want to talk with them.” 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 learns magic arts from a lay person, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Thullanandā etc.

“Learning magic arts from a lay person” means asking for and learning magic arts from a householder.

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

Recite the 16th summary verse:

Teaching magic arts, selling flour,

Chores, making other bhikkhunīs (work),

Spinning thread, weaving, walking with an umbrella,

Shoes, wound, ordaining a prostitute.