Confession 166

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā bhikkhunī wore a head ornament and stood in the door of prostitutes. The brahmin householders came and wanted to get close. Then she kicked them with her foot and said: “Did you want to have sex with me?” The householders criticized her: “These bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they put on head ornaments and stand in the door of prostitutes. When they see people coming close, they kick them with their feet.”

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 head ornament and stand in the door of prostitutes?” 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 head ornament, 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 head ornament, it’s a pācittiya. If she makes one, it’s a dukkaṭa. If she repairs an old ornament, it’s a dukkaṭa. If she gives it to others to wear, it’s a dukkaṭa. (End of rule 166.)