Confession 105

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, the bhikkhunīs wanted to wander to other countries. They informed the king: “We want to wander to other countries. May the king command these countries on our behalf not to let the people obstruct our way and make trouble for us.” Then the king sent messengers to command the four directions: “Don’t make trouble for the bhikkhunīs. Support them with the necessities, food, drinks, lamps and candles.” The bhikkhunīs wandered by stages and came to a village without a monastery. They went to a householder’s house, wanted to stay overnight, and said to the householder: “Leave your house and go away, we’ll spend the night in there.” The householder said: “Good women, I’m in my own house. Where do you tell me to go?” The bhikkhunīs insisted: “Just leave. Do you want to make trouble for us and mistreat us? If you don’t go, we’ve official authority and will make trouble for you.” The householder thought: “These bhikkhunīs are protected by the king and have official authority. Might they make trouble for me?” Having thought this, he fearfully left. This householder was old, weak, and without strength. He left his house in the cold winter time and nearly died. The householders criticized them: “Why do these bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they just lay out sleeping places without asking the owner, 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 explained it to the Buddha in detail. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter. He knew, and intentionally asked them: “Did you really do this?” They answered: “We really did this, World-honored One.” The Buddha criticized them with all kinds of reasons: “How can you be called bhikkhunīs when you just lay out bedding without asking the owner?” Having criticized them 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, without asking the owner, just lays out bedding, or has others lay it out, 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 lays out bedding herself without asking the owner, it’s a pācittiya. If she has others lay it out, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she lays it out herself or has others lay it out, without asking the owner, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 105.)