Confession 157

The 157th training precept: Walking around holding an umbrella.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Sundarīnandā bhikkhunī went on almsround holding an umbrella. Brahmin householders without faith and respect saw her and were upset: “Even though this bald renunciate shaved her head and went forth, she’s afflicted by craving.” The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked Sundarīnandā: “Did you really go on almsround holding an umbrella in this way?” She answered: “I really did.” The World-honored One 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 walks around holding an umbrella, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Sundarīnandā etc.

“Walking around holding an umbrella” means: Holding (one of) two kinds of umbrellas: 1) Umbrellas made from bamboo, grass, or leaves. 2) Umbrellas made from silk fabric.

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