Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing acknowledgment

The training rule on asking for ghee

Venerables, these eight rules on acknowledgment come up for recitation.

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 eating ghee that they had asked for.

People complained and criticized them,

“How can nuns eat ghee that they have asked for?

Who doesn’t like nice food? Who doesn’t prefer tasty food?”

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 eat ghee that they have asked for?” …

“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 asks for ghee and then eats it, she must acknowledge it:

“I have done a blameworthy and unsuitable thing that is to be acknowledged. I acknowledge it.”’”

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

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a number of nuns were sick.

The nuns who were looking after them asked,

“I hope you’re bearing up? I hope you’re getting better?”

“Previously we ate ghee that we had asked for, and then we were comfortable.

But now that the Buddha has prohibited this, we don’t ask because we’re afraid of wrongdoing. And because of that we’re not comfortable.” …

They told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow a sick nun to eat ghee that she has asked for.

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun who is not sick asks for ghee and then eats it, she must acknowledge it:

“I have done a blameworthy and unsuitable thing that is to be acknowledged. I acknowledge it.”’”

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 comfortable without ghee.

Who is sick:

who is not comfortable without ghee.

Ghee:

ghee from cows, ghee from goats, ghee from buffaloes, or ghee from whatever animal whose meat is allowable.

If she is not sick and she asks for herself, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct.

When she receives it with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

For every mouthful, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment.

Permutations

If she is not sick, and she does not perceive herself as sick, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment.

If she is not sick, but she is unsure of it, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment.

If she is not sick, but she perceives herself as sick, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment.

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 she asked for it when she was sick, but eats it when she is no longer sick;

if she eats the leftovers from one who is sick;

if it is from relatives;

if it is from those who have given an invitation;

if it is for the benefit of someone else;

if it is by means of her own property;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The first training rule on acknowledgment is finished.