Confession 175

First Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, Thullanandā bhikkhunī intentionally emitted sexual fluid.

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 intentionally emit sexual fluid?” 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 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 intentionally emit sexual fluid?” 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:

Preliminary Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī intentionally emits sexual fluid, 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 emits sexual fluid, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she intentionally emits sexual fluid, she incurs a pācittiya.

Second Origin Story

The Buddha was in Sāvatthī. At that time, the bhikkhunīs lost sexual fluid during a dream. Upon waking up, they thought: “The Buddha has laid down a precept that we’re not allowed to intentionally emit sexual fluid. Now we’ve lost sexual fluid during a dream. What should we do?” They spoke with the Buddha about this matter and he therefore gathered both sanghas. In all kinds of ways, he praised the precepts and praised keeping precepts. Having praised the precepts and praised keeping precepts, he said to the bhikkhus: “From now on, this precept should be recited thus:

Final Ruling

‘If a bhikkhunī intentionally emits sexual fluid, except during a dream, it’s a pācittiya.’”

(End of rule 175.)