Confession 168

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Rājagaha. At that time, the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta brushed their hair with brushes. The householders criticized them: “These bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they brush their hair with brushes, like lay women.”

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 brush your hair with brushes?” 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 brushes her hair with a brush, 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 brushes her hair with a brush, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she brushes, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 168.)