Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga - Saṅghādisesa 13: Socializing with Badly Behaved Bhikkhunīs
- Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Brahmali. (More copyright information)
Origin story
1At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the nun Thullanandā had been pressed by the Sangha. She then said to the nuns, “But, Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters.’”
2The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her:
“How could Venerable Thullanandā, after being pressed by the Sangha, say this to the nuns?” … :
“Is it true, monks, that after being pressed by the Sangha, the nun Thullanandā said this to the nuns?”
“It’s true, Sir.”
The Buddha rebuked her …
“How could the nun Thullanandā, after being pressed by the Sangha, say this to the nuns? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:
Final ruling
3‘If a nun says, “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters,’” then the nuns should correct her like this: “Venerable, don’t say such things: ‘Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, “Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters.”’” If that nun continues as before, the nuns should press her up to three times to make her stop. If she then stops, all is well. If she does not stop, then after the third announcement that nun too has committed an offense entailing sending away and suspension.’”
Definitions
4A: 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.
5Says: “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them.”
6It’s because of disrespect that the Sangha … to you: because of despising.
7Because of contempt: because of contemptuousness.
8Because of impatience: because of irritation.
9Because of slander: Because of slandering.
10Because … weak: Because of lack of supporters.
11Says: “Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters.”
12Her: that nun who speaks thus.
13The nuns:
14Other nuns who see it or hear about it. They should correct her like this:
“Venerable, don’t say such things: ‘Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha … “… Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters.”’”
And they should correct her a second and a third time. If she stops, all is well. If she does not stop, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If those who heard about it do not say anything, they commit an offense of wrong conduct.
That nun, even if she has to be pulled into the Sangha, should be corrected like this:
“Venerable, don’t say such things: ‘Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha … “… Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters.”’”
They should correct her a second and a third time. If she stops, all is well. If she does not stop, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Should press her: “And, monks, she should be pressed like this. A competent and capable nun should inform the Sangha:
15‘Please, Venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The nun so-and-so, after being pressed by the Sangha, says this to the nuns, “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters.’” And she keeps on saying it. If it seems appropriate to the Sangha, the Sangha should press her to make her stop. This is the motion.
16Please, Venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The nun so-and-so, after being pressed by the Sangha, says this to the nuns, “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, Venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the Sisters.’” And she keeps on saying it. The Sangha presses her to make her stop. Any nun who approves of pressing her to make her stop should remain silent. Any nun who doesn’t approve should speak up.
17For the second time I speak on this matter … For the third time I speak on this matter …
18The Sangha has pressed nun so-and-so to stop. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.’”
19After the motion, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. After each of the first two announcements, she commits a serious offense. When the last announcement is finished, she commits an offense entailing suspension. For one who commits the offense entailing suspension, the offense of wrong conduct and the serious offenses are annulled.
20That too: this is said with reference to the preceding offenses.
21After the third announcement: there is an offense when she has been pressed for the third time, not as soon as the misconduct has been committed.
22Entailing sending away: she is sent away from the Sangha.
23Suspension: only the Sangha gives the trial period for that offense, sends back to the beginning, and rehabilitates—not several nuns, not an individual nun. Therefore it is called an offense entailing suspension. This is the name and designation of this class of offense. Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension.
Permutations
24If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, and she does not stop, she commits an offense entailing suspension. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, and she does not stop, she commits an offense entailing suspension. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as illegitimate, and she does not stop, she commits an offense entailing suspension.
25If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as legitimate, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Non-offenses
26There is no offense: if she has not been pressed; if she stops; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.
27The thirteenth offense entailing suspension is finished.
28“Venerables, the seventeen rules on suspension have been recited, nine being immediate offenses, eight after the third announcement. If a nun commits any one of them, she must undertake a trial period for a half-month toward both Sanghas. When this is completed, she is to be rehabilitated wherever there is a saṅgha of at least twenty nuns. If that nun is rehabilitated by a saṅgha of nuns of even one less than twenty, then that nun is not rehabilitated and those nuns are at fault. This is proper procedure.
29In regard to this I ask you, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A second time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A third time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ You are pure in this and therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.”
30The group of seventeen is finished.
The chapter on offenses entailing suspension in the Nuns’ Analysis is finished.
1p_2V_2394, msdiv727Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena thullanandā bhikkhunī saṁghena samanubhaṭṭhā bhikkhuniyo evaṁ vadeti: “Saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo evācārā evaṁsaddā evaṁsilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Tā saṁgho na kiñci āha. Tumhaññeva saṁgho uññāya paribhavena akkhantiyā vebhassiyā dubbalyā evamāha— ‘bhaginiyo kho saṁsaṭṭhā viharanti pāpācārā pāpasaddā pāpasilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī’”ti.
2p_2V_2395Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā … pe … tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti:
“Kathañhi nāma ayyā thullanandā saṁghena samanubhaṭṭhā bhikkhuniyo evaṁ vakkhati— saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo … pe … viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetīti” … pe …
“Saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī saṁghena samanubhaṭṭhā bhikkhuniyo evaṁ vadeti: saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo evācārā evaṁsaddā evaṁsilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Tā saṁgho na kiñci āha. Tumhaññeva saṁgho uññāya paribhavena akkhantiyā vebhassiyā dubbalyā evamāha— bhaginiyo kho saṁsaṭṭhā viharanti pāpācārā pāpasaddā pāpasilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī”ti?
“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.
Vigarahi buddho bhagavā … pe …
Kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī saṁghena samanubhaṭṭhā bhikkhuniyo evaṁ vakkhati— saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo … pe … viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetīti. Netaṁ, bhikkhave, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya … pe … evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—
3p_2V_2396, msdiv728“Yā pana bhikkhunī evaṁ vadeyya— ‘saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo evācārā evaṁsaddā evaṁsilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Tā saṁgho na kiñci āha. Tumhaññeva saṁgho uññāya paribhavena akkhantiyā vebhassiyā dubbalyā evamāha— bhaginiyo kho saṁsaṭṭhā viharanti pāpācārā pāpasaddā pāpasilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī’ti. Sā bhikkhunī bhikkhunīhi evamassa vacanīyā— ‘mā, ayye, evaṁ avaca— saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo evācārā evaṁsaddā evaṁsilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Tā saṁgho na kiñci āha. Tumhaññeva saṁgho uññāya paribhavena akkhantiyā vebhassiyā dubbalyā evamāha— bhaginiyo kho saṁsaṭṭhā viharanti pāpācārā pāpasaddā pāpasilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī’ti. Evañca sā bhikkhunī bhikkhunīhi vuccamānā tatheva paggaṇheyya, sā bhikkhunī bhikkhunīhi yāvatatiyaṁ samanubhāsitabbā tassa paṭinissaggāya. Yāvatatiyañce samanubhāsīyamānā taṁ paṭinissajjeyya, iccetaṁ kusalaṁ; no ce paṭinissajjeyya, ayampi bhikkhunī yāvatatiyakaṁ dhammaṁ āpannā nissāraṇīyaṁ saṁghādisesan”ti. (13:21)
4p_2V_2397, msdiv729Yā panā'ti yā yādisā … pe … bhikkhunī'ti … pe … ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippetā bhikkhunīti.
5p_2V_2398Evaṁ vadeyyā ti— “Saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo evācārā evaṁsaddā evaṁsilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Tā saṁgho na kiñci āha”.
6p_2V_2399Tumhaññeva saṁgho uññāyā'ti avaññāya.
7p_2V_2400Paribhavenā'ti pāribhabyatā.
8p_2V_2401Akkhantiyā'ti kopena.
9p_2V_2402Vebhassiyā'ti vibhassīkatā.
10p_2V_2403Dubbalyā'ti apakkhatā.
11p_2V_2404Evamāha— “Bhaginiyo kho saṁsaṭṭhā viharanti pāpācārā pāpasaddā pāpasilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Viciccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī”ti.
12p_2V_2405Sā bhikkhunī'ti yā sā evaṁvādinī bhikkhunī.
13p_2V_2406Bhikkhunīhī'ti aññāhi bhikkhunīhi.
14p_2V_2407Yā passanti yā suṇanti tāhi vattabbā—
“Māyye, evaṁ avaca— ‘saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo … pe … viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī’”ti.
Dutiyampi vattabbā. Tatiyampi vattabbā. Sace paṭinissajjati, iccetaṁ kusalaṁ; no ce paṭinissajjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Sutvā na vadanti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
Sā bhikkhunī saṁghamajjhampi ākaḍḍhitvā vattabbā—
“Māyye, evaṁ avaca— ‘saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo … pe … viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī’”ti.
Dutiyampi vattabbā. Tatiyampi vattabbā. Sace paṭinissajjati, iccetaṁ kusalaṁ; no ce paṭinissajjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
Sā bhikkhunī samanubhāsitabbā. “Evañca pana, bhikkhave, samanubhāsitabbā. Byattāya bhikkhuniyā paṭibalāya saṁgho ñāpetabbo—
15p_2V_2408, msdiv730“Saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo evācārā evaṁsaddā evaṁsilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Tā saṁgho na kiñci āha. Tumhaññeva saṁgho uññāya paribhavena akkhantiyā vebhassiyā dubbalyā evamāha— bhaginiyo kho saṁsaṭṭhā viharanti pāpācārā pāpasaddā pāpasilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī”ti. Sā taṁ vatthuṁ na paṭinissajjati. Yadi saṁghassa pattakallaṁ, saṁgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuniṁ samanubhāseyya tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya. Esā ñatti. ‘Suṇātu me, ayye, saṁgho. Ayaṁ itthannāmā bhikkhunī saṁghena samanubhaṭṭhā bhikkhuniyo evaṁ vadeti:
16p_2V_2409“Saṁsaṭṭhāva, ayye, tumhe viharatha. Mā tumhe nānā viharittha. Santi saṁghe aññāpi bhikkhuniyo evācārā evaṁsaddā evaṁsilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Tā saṁgho na kiñci āha. Tumhaññeva saṁgho uññāya paribhavena akkhantiyā vebhassiyā dubbalyā evamāha— bhaginiyo kho saṁsaṭṭhā viharanti pāpācārā pāpasaddā pāpasilokā, bhikkhunisaṁghassa vihesikā, aññamaññissā vajjappaṭicchādikā. Viviccathāyye. Vivekaññeva bhaginīnaṁ saṁgho vaṇṇetī”ti. Sā taṁ vatthuṁ na paṭinissajjati. Saṁgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuniṁ samanubhāsati tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya. Yassā ayyāya khamati itthannāmāya bhikkhuniyā samanubhāsanā tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya, sā tuṇhassa; yassā nakkhamati, sā bhāseyya. Suṇātu me, ayye, saṁgho. Ayaṁ itthannāmā bhikkhunī saṁghena samanubhaṭṭhā bhikkhuniyo evaṁ vadeti:
17p_2V_2410Dutiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi … pe … tatiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi … pe … .
18p_2V_2411Samanubhaṭṭhā saṁghena itthannāmā bhikkhunī tassa vatthussa paṭinissaggāya. Khamati saṁghassa, tasmā tuṇhī, evametaṁ dhārayāmī’”ti.
19p_2V_2412Ñattiyā dukkaṭaṁ, dvīhi kammavācāhi thullaccayā, kammavācāpariyosāne āpatti saṁghādisesassa. Saṁghādisesaṁ ajjhāpajjantiyā ñattiyā dukkaṭaṁ, dvīhi kammavācāhi thullaccayā paṭippassambhanti.
20p_2V_2413Ayampī'ti purimāyo upādāya vuccati.
21p_2V_2414Yāvatatiyakan'ti yāvatatiyaṁ samanubhāsanāya āpajjati, na sahavatthujjhācārā.
22p_2V_2415Nissāraṇīyan'ti saṁghamhā nissārīyati.
23p_2V_2416Saṁghādiseso'ti saṁghova tassā āpattiyā mānattaṁ deti, mūlāya paṭikassati, abbheti, na sambahulā na ekā bhikkhunī. Tena vuccati “saṁghādiseso”ti. Tasseva āpattinikāyassa nāmakammaṁ adhivacanaṁ, tenapi vuccati “saṁghādiseso”ti.
24p_2V_2417, msdiv731Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññā na paṭinissajjati, āpatti saṁghādisesassa. Dhammakamme vematikā na paṭinissajjati, āpatti saṁghādisesassa. Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññā na paṭinissajjati, āpatti saṁghādisesassa.
25p_2V_2418Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Adhammakamme vematikā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
26p_2V_2419, msdiv732Anāpatti— asamanubhāsantiyā, paṭinissajjantiyā, ummattikāya, ādikammikāyāti.
27p_2V_2420Dasamasaṁghādisesasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.
17 Kuladūsakasikkhāpada
28p_2V_2421Uddiṭṭhā kho, ayyāyo, sattarasa saṁghādisesā dhammā— nava paṭhamāpattikā, aṭṭha yāvatatiyakā. Yesaṁ bhikkhunī aññataraṁ vā aññataraṁ vā āpajjati, tāya bhikkhuniyā ubhatosaṁghe pakkhamānattaṁ caritabbaṁ. Ciṇṇamānattā bhikkhunī yattha siyā vīsatigaṇo bhikkhunisaṁgho tattha sā bhikkhunī abbhetabbā. Ekāyapi ce ūno vīsatigaṇo bhikkhunisaṁgho taṁ bhikkhuniṁ abbheyya. Sā ca bhikkhunī anabbhitā, tā ca bhikkhuniyo gārayhā, ayaṁ tattha sāmīci.
29p_2V_2422Tatthāyyāyo pucchāmi— “Kaccittha parisuddhā”? Dutiyampi pucchāmi— “Kaccittha parisuddhā”? Tatiyampi pucchāmi— “Kaccittha parisuddhā”? Parisuddhetthāyyāyo, tasmā tuṇhī, evametaṁ dhārayāmīti.
30p_2V_2423Sattarasakaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.
Bhikkhunīvibhaṅge saṁghādisesakaṇḍaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.