Confession 83

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Rājagaha. At that time, a bhikkhunī supporting Devadatta stood and talked together with a lay man alone outdoors. The householders criticized her: “Look at them, are they married, or are they having an affair?”

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 with all kinds of reasons: “How can you be called a bhikkhunī when you stand and talk together with one lay man alone outdoors?” 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 the bhikkhunī supporting Devadatta: “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 stand and talk together with one lay man alone outdoors?” 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 stands and talks together with one lay man alone outdoors, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“Standing together” means in a dubious place.

“Talking together” means in a dubious place.

“Pācittiya” means burn, cook, cover, obstruct. If she doesn’t confess the offense, it can obstruct the path.

Herein, this is an offense: If a bhikkhunī stands and talks together with one lay man alone outdoors, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she stands and talks together, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 83.)