Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on monasteries

The training rule on not inviting

Origin story

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

At that time a number of nuns who had completed the rainy-season residence in a village monastery went to Sāvatthī.

The nuns there asked them,

“Venerables, where did you spend the rains residence?

Where did you invite the Sangha of monks for correction?”

“We didn’t invite the Sangha of monks for correction.”

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them,

“How could nuns who have completed the rains residence not invite the Sangha of monks for correction?” …

“Is it true, monks, that nuns didn’t do this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them …

“How could nuns not do this?

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun who has completed the rainy-season residence does not invite correction from both Sanghas in regard to three things—what has been seen, heard, or suspected—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.

Who has completed the rainy-season residence:

who has completed the first three or the last three months of the rainy-season residence.

If she thinks, “I won’t invite correction from both Sanghas in regard to three things—what has been seen, heard, or suspected,” then by the mere fact of abandoning her duty, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if there is an obstacle;

if she searches, but does not find anyone to invite for correction;

if she is sick;

if there is an emergency;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The seventh training rule is finished.