Nuns’ Forfeiture (Nissaggiya) 7 (PLI-TV-BI-VB-NP7)

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time lay-followers, having made a voluntary collection for robe-material for the Order of nuns, having laid aside what was necessary in a certain cloak-seller’s house, having approached the nuns, spoke thus: “Ladies, in such and such a cloak-seller’s house what is necessary for robe-material is laid aside. Having had the robe-material brought from there, distribute it.”

And the nuns, although having themselves asked for what was necessary, yet having got medicine in exchange, made use of it. The lay-followers, having found out … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns get something in exchange for what was necessary (and) appointed for another thing, destined for another thing, belonging to an Order, (and) that they themselves asked for?” …

“Is it true, as is said, monks, that nuns got something in exchange … that they themselves asked for?”

“It is true, lord.”

The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:

“How, monks, can nuns get something in exchange … that they themselves asked for? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:

“Whatever nun should get something in exchange for what was necessary (and) appointed for another thing, destined for another thing, belonging to an Order, (and) that she herself asked for, there is an offence of expiation involving forfeiture.”

Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.

For what was necessary (and) appointed for another thing, destined for another thing … Belonging to an Order … That she herself asked for means: oneself having asked for.

Should get something in exchange means: … see Bi-NP.2.1–3. After belonging to an Order insert that she herself asked for

… if she is the first wrong-doer.

The Book of the Discipline was translated by I.B. Horner.

Digital edition prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato

A complete digital edition can be downloaded here.

Published in 2014 by SuttaCentral.

Originally published by the Pali Text Society in the following years:

Vol. 1: 1938

Vol. 2: 1940

Vol. 3: 1942

Vol. 4: 1951

Vol. 5: 1950

Vol. 6: 1966

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