Confession 147

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā bhikkhunī obtained a “hip net” an ornamental belt with multiple strands.* pawned by someone, and went to the market wearing it. It jingled, and when the householders heard it, they criticized her: “These bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they wear hip nets to go to the market, 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 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 wear a hip net?” 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 wears a “hip net”, 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 wears a hip net, it’s a pācittiya. If she makes one, it’s a dukkaṭa. If she looks after one, it’s a dukkaṭa. If she gives it to someone else to wear, it’s a dukkaṭa. (End of rule 147.)