Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on unmarried girls

The training rule on one who is difficult to live with

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 the trainee nun Caṇḍakāḷī, who was socializing with men and boys, and who was temperamental and difficult to live with.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,

“How could Venerable Thullanandā give the full admission to the trainee nun Caṇḍakāḷī, who is socializing with men and boys, and who is temperamental and difficult to live with?” …

“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 gives the full admission to a trainee nun who is socializing with men and boys and who is temperamental and difficult to live with, 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.

Men:

those who have reached twenty years of age.

Boys:

those who have not reached twenty years of age.

Socializing:

she socializes with improper bodily and verbal actions.

Temperamental:

angry is what is meant.

Difficult to live with:

she causes suffering to others, and grieves herself.

A trainee nun:

one who has trained for two years in the six rules.

Gives the full admission:

gives the full ordination.

If, intending to give the full admission, she searches for a group, a teacher, a bowl, or a robe, or she establishes a monastery zone, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

After the motion, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

After each of the first two announcements, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

When the last announcement is finished, the preceptor commits an offense entailing confession,

and the group and the teacher commit an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she gives her the full admission without knowing what she is like;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The ninth training rule is finished.