Chulavagga 10.6

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Adapted from the Translation by T. W. Rhys Davids and Hermann Oldenberg

CHULAVAGGA (THE MINOR SECTION)

TENTH KHANDHAKA (ON THE DUTIES OF BHIKKHUNIS/NUNS)

Chapter-6.

1. Now at that time the Patimokkha was not recited to the Bhikkhunis.

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow the Patimokkha, O Bhikkhus, to be recited to the Bhikkhunis.'

Now it occurred to the Bhikkhunis: 'By whom should the Patimokkha be recited to the Bhikkhunis?'

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, the Patimokkha to be recited to Bhikkhunis by Bhikkhus.'

Now at that time Bhikkhus went to the residence of the Bhikkhunis and recited the Patimokkha to the Bhikkhunis there. The people murmured, and were indignant, saying: 'There are their wives, there are their mistresses; now will they take pleasure together.'

The Bhikkhus heard this, and told the matter to the Lord Buddha.

'Bhikkhus are not, O Bhikkhus, to recite the Patimokkha to the Bhikkhunis at their residence. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata. I allow Bhikkhunis, O Bhikkhus, to recite the Patimokkha to the Bhikkhunis.'

The Bhikkhunis did not know how to recite the Patimokkha. They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell Bhikkhunis how to recite the Patimokkha.'

2. Now at that time the Bhikkhunis did not confess the faults (they had committed).

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'A Bhikkhuni, O Bhikkhus, is not to leave a fault unconfessed. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.'

The Bhikkhunis did not know how to confess their faults. They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell Bhikkhunis how they should confess their faults.'

Then it occurred to the Bhikkhus: 'By whom ought the confession of a fault to be received from the Bhikkhunis?' They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to receive the confession of a fault from Bhikkhunis.'

Now at that time Bhikkhunis, on seeing a Bhikkhu(Monk) on the road, or in a street closed at one end, or at the place where four cross-roads met, would place their bowl on the ground, and arranging their robes over one shoulder, would crouch down on their heels, and stretch forth their joined hands, and confess a fault. The people murmured, were indignant, and complained, saying: 'There are their wives, there are their mistresses; they are asking

pardon now after having treated them scornfully overnight.'

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'Bhikkhus are not, O Bhikkhus, to receive the confessions of a fault from Bhikkhunis. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata. I allow Bhikkhunis, O Bhikkhus, to receive the confession of a fault from Bhikkhunis.'

The Bhikkhunis did not know how to receive the confession of a fault. They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell Bhikkhunis how to receive the confession of a fault.'

3. Now at that time disciplinary proceedings (Kammas) were not carried out against Bhikkhunis. They told that matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow disciplinary proceedings, O Bhikkhus, to be carried out against Bhikkhunis.'

Then the Bhikkhus thought: 'By whom ought disciplinary proceedings to be carried out against Bhikkhunis?' They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to carry out disciplinary proceedings against Bhikkhunis.'

Now at that time Bhikkhunis who had been subjected to disciplinary proceedings, on seeing a Bhikkhu on the road, or in a street closed at one end, or at the place where four cross-roads met, would place their bowls on the ground, and arranging their robes over one shoulder, would crouch down on their heels, and stretching out their joined palms would ask for pardon, thinking that that was the proper time for doing so. The people murmured [&c., as before].

They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'Bhikkhus are not, O Bhikkhus, to carry out disciplinary proceedings against the Bhikkhunis. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata.' I allow Bhikkhunis, O Bhikkhus, to carry out disciplinary proceedings against Bhikkhunis.'

The Bhikkhunis did not know how to carry out the disciplinary proceedings. They told this matter to the Lord Buddha.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell the Bhikkhunis how to carry out disciplinary proceedings.'