Relinquishment With Confession 29

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, a bhikkhunī called Dhammadinnā, during the eight nights of winter, in the cold wind that breaks bamboo, wore a single-layered, thin robe to go on almsround. A merchant saw this bhikkhunī, went to the generals, and said: “You’ve obtained prosperity because of bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā. Can’t you each make a thick robe for the bhikkhunī? This bhikkhunī now during the eight nights of winter, in the cold wind that breaks bamboo, wears a single-layered robe to go on almsround. If you can’t each make one robe for her, you should make one robe together and give it.” Because the merchant caused pride to arise in their minds, they all said: “We’ll make one together and give it.” Then they summoned the bhikkhunī and said: “What kind of robe do you need? We’ll give as you wish.” The bhikkhunī said: “I need a robe worth 500 coins.” Then the generals bought it according to her wish and gave it. This bhikkhunī wore the expensive robe to go on almsround. The householders criticized her: “These bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they wear an expensive robe to go on almsround, like queens and wives of high officials.”

Among the bhikkhunīs were those of few wishes, who knew moderation and practised the austerities. When they heard of this matter, their minds weren’t pleased, and they criticized her: “How can you be called a bhikkhunī when you wear an expensive robe to go on almsround?” Having criticized her with all kinds of reasons, they explained it to the Buddha in detail. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter. He knew, and intentionally asked Dhammadinnā bhikkhunī: “Did you really do this?” She answered: “I really did this, World-honored One.” The Buddha criticized her with all kinds of reasons: “How can you be called a bhikkhunī when you wear an expensive robe to go on almsround?” Having criticized her with all kinds of reasons, he said to the bhikkhus: “For 10 benefits, I’ll lay down a precept for the bhikkhunīs. From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī wants to ask for a heavy robe, she should ask for one up to a value of four coins. If she asks for a more expensive one, it’s a nissaggiya pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“A coin” means a large coin, up to a value of sixteen small coins.

“A nissaggiya pācittiya” means that this robe should be relinquished, and the pācittiya offense should be confessed.

Herein, this is an offense: If a bhikkhunī asks for a heavy robe that’s worth more than four coins, it’s a nissaggiya pācittiya. Whenever she asks, she incurs a nissaggiya pācittiya. (End of rule 29.)