Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on nakedness

The training rule on letting the time expire

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,

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

Just then the nuns who had completed the rainy-season residence had gathered to distribute robe-cloth.

But Thullanandā said to them,

“Please wait, Venerables. The Sangha is expecting more cloth.”

The nuns said to her,

“Go and find out what’s happening.”

She then went to that family and said to them,

“Please give the robe-cloth to the Sangha of nuns.”

“We’re sorry, but we’re not able to give robe-cloth to the Sangha.”

Thullanandā told the nuns what had happened.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,

“How could Venerable Thullanandā allow the robe season to expire because of an uncertain expectation of 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 lets the robe season expire because of an uncertain expectation of 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.

An uncertain expectation of robe-cloth:

they have said, “If we’re able, then we’ll give, then we’ll act.”

Robe season:

for one who has not participated in the robe-making ceremony, it is the last month of the rainy season; for one who has participated in the robe-making ceremony, it is the five month period.

Lets the robe season expire:

for one who has not participated in the robe-making ceremony, if she goes beyond the last day of the rainy season, she commits an offense entailing confession.

For one who has participated in the robe-making ceremony, if she goes beyond the day on which the robe season ends, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If it is an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, and she perceives it as such, and she lets the robe season expire, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she is unsure of it, and she lets the robe season expire, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she does not perceive it as such, and she lets the robe season expire, there is no offense.

If it is not an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she perceives it as such, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is not an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is not an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, and she does not perceive it as such, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she can show a benefit in hindering it;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The ninth training rule is finished.