Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on nakedness

The training rule on bathing robes

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

At that time the Buddha had allowed bathing robes for the nuns.

Knowing this, the nuns from the group of six wore bathing robes of inappropriate size.

As they were walking about, they were dragging them along, both in front and behind.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them,

“How can the nuns from the group of six wear such bathing robes?” …

“Is it true, monks, that the nuns from the group of six do this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them …

“How can the nuns from the group of six wear such bathing robes?

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

“And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling

‘If a nun is having a bathing robe made, it should be made the right size. This is the right size: four standard handspans long and two wide. If it exceeds that, it is to be cut down, and she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A bathing robe:

wearing it as a sarong, she bathes.

Is having made:

making it herself or having someone else make it, it should be made the right size.

This is the right size: four standard handspans long and two wide.

If she makes one or has one made that exceeds that, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct.

When she gets it, it is to be cut down, and she is then to confess an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If she finishes what she began herself, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she has others finish what she began herself, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she finishes herself what was begun by others, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she has others finish what was begun by others, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she makes one or has one made for the benefit of someone else, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she gets one that was made by someone else and then uses it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she makes it the right size;

if she makes it smaller than the right size;

if she gets one made by someone else that exceeds the right size and she cuts it down before using it;

if she makes a canopy, a floor cover, a cloth screen, a mattress, or a pillow;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The second training rule is finished.