Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on sunshades and sandals

The training rule on vehicles

Origin story

First sub-story

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

the nuns from the group of six were traveling in vehicles.

People complained and criticized them,

“How can the nuns travel in a vehicle? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!”

The nuns heard the complaints of those people.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them,

“How can the nuns from the group of six travel in a vehicle?” …

“Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them …

“How can the nuns from the group of six do this?

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

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

First preliminary ruling

‘If a nun travels in a vehicle, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the nuns.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards there was a sick nun who was not able to travel on foot. …

They told the Buddha. The Buddha then had the Sangha gathered and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow a sick nun to use a vehicle.

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun who is not sick travels in a vehicle, 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 is not sick:

who is able to travel on foot.

Who is sick:

who is unable to travel on foot.

A vehicle:

a wagon, a carriage, a cart, a chariot, a palanquin, a litter.

Travels:

if she travels in a vehicle even once, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If she is not sick, and she does not perceive herself as sick, and she travels in a vehicle, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she is not sick, but she is unsure of it, and she travels in a vehicle, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she is not sick, but she perceives herself as sick, and she travels in a vehicle, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she is sick, but she does not perceive herself as sick, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she is sick, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she is sick, and she perceives herself as sick, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she is sick;

if there is an emergency;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The second training rule is finished.