Confession 170

The 170th training precept: Wearing worldly adornments.

Origin Story

Location as before. Then Thullanandā bhikkhunī entered the home of a brahmin householder on almsround, and saw that the lady of the house was wearing ornaments and worldly adornments. The bhikkhunī borrowed them from her and adorned her own body. She asked: “Am I now attractive, lovely, and beautiful?” (The lady) was upset: “It was in vain that you shaved your hair and became a bald renunciate. You’re still bound by desire.” The bhikkhunīs told the bhikkhus, and the bhikkhus told the Buddha. The Buddha asked Thullanandā: “Did you really wear worldly adornments 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 wears worldly adornments, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A bhikkhunī” means Thullanandā etc.

“Wearing worldly adornments” means wearing necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, etc.

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

Recite the 18th summary verse:

Leading another, dancing, singing, music,

Going out alone to defecate or urinate,

Brush, fine comb, coarse comb, three, a wig,

The 180 pācittiya offenses.