Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on pregnant women

The training rule on disciples

Origin story

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

At that time the nun Thullanandā gave the full admission to a disciple, but then, for the next two years, neither guided her nor had her guided.

They were ignorant and incompetent,

and they did not know what was allowable and what was not.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,

“How can Venerable Thullanandā give the full admission to a disciple, and then neither guide her nor have her guided for two years?” …

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

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked her …

“How can 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 gives the full admission to a disciple, and then, for the next two years, neither guides her nor has her guided, 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 disciple:

a student is what is meant.

Gives the full admission:

gives the full ordination.

Two years:

two twelve-month periods.

Neither guides her:

she does not herself guide her—through recitation, through questioning, through instruction, though teaching.

Nor has her guided:

she does not ask anyone else.

If she thinks, “I’ll neither guide her nor have her guided for two years,” 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 for someone to guide her, but cannot find anyone;

if she is sick;

if there is an emergency;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The eighth training rule is finished.