Confession 134

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, there was a householder who wanted to give robes to the bhikkhunī sangha. Thullanandā bhikkhunī often went in and out of their house. When she heard this, she went and asked: “Do you really want to give robes to the bhikkhunī sangha?” They answered: “Yes.” Thullanandā said: “The bhikkhunī sangha has many robes, stored in large piles that decay, and can’t be used up. You now have things to do out of town. When you return, you can still think about this.” For this reason, these robes were finally not given to the bhikkhunī sangha.

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, when a householder wants to give robes to the bhikkhunī sangha, obstruct them and make them not give?” 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, when a householder wants to give robes to the bhikkhunī sangha, obstruct them and make them not give?” 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 prevents someone from giving robes to the sangha, 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 prevents someone from giving robes to the sangha, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she prevents it, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 134.)