Confession 163

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, Sujātā bhikkhunī, who was young and attractive, and Uttara, the householder’s son, were friends and did things together: They walked, sat, got up, and talked together, and they spoke about worldly matters.

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 walk with a man and speak about worldly matters?” 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 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 walk with a man and speak about worldly matters?” 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 walks with a man and speaks about worldly matters, 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 walks with a man and speaks about worldly matters, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she walks and speaks about worldly matters, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 163.)