Confession 159

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Rājagaha. At that time, the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta bathed naked outdoors. Householders saw them, were displeased, and criticized them: “These bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they bathe naked outdoors like prostitutes.”

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 the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta: “Did you really do this?” They answered: “We really did this, World-honored One.” The Buddha criticized them with all kinds of reasons: “How can you be called bhikkhunīs when you bathe naked outdoors?” Having criticized them 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 bathes naked outdoors, 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 bathes naked outdoors, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she bathes naked outdoors, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 159.)