Confession 149

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, there was a bhikkhunī named Sujātā, who was attractive and beautiful. People liked to look at her. And there was a householder’s son called Uttara(?), who was an old friend of hers. They talked and did things together. That son was living in Kosala, in Pattagāma, and because of him, the bhikkhunī spent the rains retreat away from a bhikkhu residence.

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 spend the rains retreat away from a bhikkhu residence?” 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 Sujātā: “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 spend the rains retreat away from a bhikkhu residence?” 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 spends the rains retreat away from a bhikkhu residence, 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 spends the rains retreat away from a bhikkhu residence, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she’s away, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 149.)