Confession 106

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, the bhikkhunīs wanted to be equal to the bhikkhus. They said: “When you have five years seniority, you don’t depend on another. It’s the same for us. When you have 10 years seniority, you take on students. We’ll also do that. Where’s the difference?”

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. They criticized them with all kinds of reasons, and explained it to the Buddha in detail. The Buddha gathered both sanghas because of this matter. He knew, and intentionally asked those bhikkhunīs: “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 slight the bhikkhu sangha?” Having criticized them with all kinds of reasons, he said to the bhikkhus: “From now on, I allow that bhikkhunīs don’t depend on another when they’ve been fully ordained for six years, and that they depend on another when they’ve less than six years seniority. When they’ve 12 years seniority, they may take on students. 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 doesn’t have 12 years seniority and takes on students, 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 doesn’t have 12 years seniority and takes on students, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she takes on students, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 106.)