Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on nakedness

The training rule on the ending of the robe season

Origin story

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

At that time a lay follower had built a dwelling for the Sangha.

He wanted to give out-of-season robe-cloth to both Sanghas at the presentation ceremony for that dwelling,

but both Sanghas had already performed the robe-making ceremony.

That lay follower then went to the Sangha and asked it to make an end of the robe season.

They told the Buddha.

Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow you to end the robe season.

And it should be done like this.

A competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha:

‘Please, Venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen.

If the Sangha is ready, it should end the robe season.

This is the motion.

Please, Venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen.

The Sangha ends the robe season.

Any monk who approves of ending the robe season should remain silent.

Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up.

The Sangha has made an end of the robe season. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.’”

That lay follower then went to the Sangha of nuns and asked them to end the robe season.

But the nun Thullanandā, aiming to get robe-cloth for herself, blocked the Sangha from doing it.

That lay follower complained and criticized them,

“How could the nuns not end the robe season for us?”

The nuns heard the complaints of that lay follower.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,

“How could Venerable Thullanandā block a legitimate ending of the robe season?” …

“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 blocks a legitimate ending of the robe season, 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.

A legitimate ending of the robe season:

a unanimous Sangha of nuns brings it to an end.

Blocks:

if she blocks it with the thought, “What can be done so that the robe season doesn’t end?”, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, and she blocks it, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, and she blocks it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as illegitimate, and she blocks it, there is no offense.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as legitimate, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she can show a benefit in blocking it;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The tenth training rule is finished.

The third subchapter on nakedness is finished.