Confession 177

Origin Story

The Buddha was in Rājagaha. At that time, the bhikkhunīs supporting Devadatta bathed at the men’s bathing place. The householders criticized them: “These bhikkhunīs say of themselves: ‘We’re virtuous and have merit’, but they bathe at the men’s bathing place like prostitutes.”

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 bathe at the men’s bathing place?” 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 bathes at the men’s bathing place, 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 bathes at the men’s bathing place, it’s a pācittiya. Whenever she bathes at the men’s bathing place, she incurs a pācittiya. (End of rule 177.)