Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on unmarried girls

The training rule on what is expired

Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery,

the nun Thullanandā

had gathered a group of senior monks, intending to give the full admission to a trainee nun. But after seeing much fresh and cooked food, she dismissed the senior monks, saying,

“Venerables, I won’t give the full admission to the trainee nun just yet.” She then gathered Devadatta, Kokālika, Kaṭamodakatissaka, Khaṇḍadeviyāputta, and Samuddadatta, and gave the full admission to that trainee nun.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,

“How could Venerable Thullanandā give the full admission to a trainee nun when the given consent had expired?” …

“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, when a given consent has expired, a nun gives the full admission to a trainee nun, 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.

When a given consent has expired:

when the gathering has left.

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 while the gathering has not yet left;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The eleventh training rule is finished.