Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on nakedness

The training rule on robe-cloth for the community

Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery,

a family that was supporting the nun Thullanandā said to her,

“Venerable, we’re going to give robe-cloth to the Sangha of nuns.”

She replied,

“You’re very busy,” and she created an obstacle for them.

Soon afterwards the house of that family burned down.

They then complained and criticized her,

“How could Venerable Thullanandā create an obstacle for our gift?

Now we have neither possessions nor merit.”

The nuns heard the complaints of those people,

and the nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,

“How could Venerable Thullanandā create an obstacle for the community to get robe-cloth?” …

“Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked her …

“How could the nun Thullanandā do this?

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun creates an obstacle for the community to get robe-cloth, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A:

whoever …

Nun:

… The nun who has been given the full ordination in unanimity by both Sanghas through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of nun is meant in this case.

The community:

the Sangha of nuns is what is meant.

Robe-cloth:

one of the six kinds of robe-cloth, but not smaller than what can be assigned to another.

Creates an obstacle:

if she creates an obstacle with the thought, “What can be done so that these people don’t give robe-cloth?”, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she creates an obstacle for another requisite, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she creates an obstacle for a number of nuns or for a single nun or for someone who is not fully ordained to get robe-cloth or another requisite, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she can show a benefit in obstructing them;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The sixth training rule is finished.