Confession 119

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā bhikkhunī took on a woman as her student who had a following of men and women. That bhikkhunī, before midday, put on her robes, took her bowl, and went on almsround, surrounded by the men and women. The householders said to each other: “Did you know that those renunciates that are Sakyan children work as prostitutes? In the bhikkhunī monastery, they give birth to children.”

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 take on a woman as your student who is followed by men and women?” 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 Thullanandā 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 take on a woman as your student who is followed by men and women?” 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 takes on a woman as her student who has a following of men and women, 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 takes on a woman as her student who has a following of men and women, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she takes one on, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 119.)