Confession 161

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Rājagaha. At that time, the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta intentionally went to watch and listen to singing, dancing, and musical performances, and to see costumed actors. The householders criticized them: “These bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they intentionally go to watch and listen to singing, dancing, musical performances, and costumed actors, 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 those bhikkhunīs: “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 intentionally go to watch and listen to singing, dancing, musical performances, and costumed actors?” 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 intentionally goes to watch and listen to singing, dancing, musical performances, and costumed actors, 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 intentionally goes to watch and listen to singing, dancing, musical performances, and costumed actors, and she’s able to see it, it’s a pācittiya. If she’s not able to see it, it’s a dukkaṭa. If she goes from below to a higher place to be able to see, it’s a pācittiya. If she’s not able to see, it’s a dukkaṭa. If she goes from above to a lower place to be able to see, it’s a pācittiya. If she’s not able to see, it’s a dukkaṭa.

There’s no offense: If she unintentionally walks on a road that passes by (a performance), the offense isn’t committed. (End of rule 161.)