Confession 136

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, the bhikkhunī sangha struck the bell wanting to relinquish the kaṭhina robe. Upavānā(?) bhikkhunī acted as the sangha official for settling matters, and she didn’t want to go to the sangha. They sent a bhikkhunī to summon her: “Good woman, come! The bhikkhunī sangha wants to relinquish the kaṭhina robe.” She said angrily: “I’m the sangha offical for settling matters. Why didn’t you ask me before striking the bell? I’m unable to go.” Then for this reason, they didn’t accomplish the relinquishing of the kaṭhina robe.

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 don’t go along with the sangha that wants to relinquish the kaṭhina robe?” 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 Upavānā 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 don’t go along with the sangha that’s relinquishing the kaṭhina robe?” 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, when the sangha is relinquishing the kaṭhina robe, doesn’t go along, 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, when the sangha is relinquishing the kaṭhina robe, doesn’t go along, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she doesn’t go along, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 136.)