Confession 85

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā bhikkhunī made a dildo out of gum and bound it to her heel. Later she put it into her vagina. Then a fire broke out and burnt the bhikkhunīs’ building. Thullanandā bhikkhunī forgot about it, and left the building without untying it. She said to the householders: “A fire has broken out here, douse it with water.” There was a merchant who saw that Thullanandā had such a thing, and said to the other people: “Look, this bhikkhunī has such a beautiful ornament.”

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. 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 her: “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 make a dildo and put it into your vagina?” 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 makes a dildo and puts it into her vagina, it’s a pācittiya.’”

Explanations

“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 makes a dildo out of gum and puts it into her vagina, it’s a pācittiya. If she puts a leather bag, her toe, a lump of meat, a lotus root, a radish root, a turnip root, a melon, a bottle-gourd, or a pear into her vagina, all are pācittiyas. When she makes it, it’s a dukkaṭa. If she puts it into another bhikkhunī’s vagina, it’s a dukkaṭa. (End of rule 85.)