Nuns’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 30 (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC30)

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time a dwelling-place had been erected by a certain lay-follower for the Order. He, at the festival for this dwelling-place, was desirous of giving robe-material at the wrong time for both the Orders. Now at that time the kaṭhina cloth for both the Orders was (formally) made. Then that lay-follower, having approached the Order, asked for the removal of the kaṭhina (privileges). They told this matter to the lord. Then the lord on this occasion, in this connection, having given reasoned talk, addressed the monks, saying:

“I allow you, monks, to remove the kaṭhina (privileges). And thus, monks, should the kaṭhina (privileges) be removed: The Order should be informed by an experienced, competent monk, saying: ‘Honoured sirs, let the Order listen to me. If it seems right to the Order, let the Order remove the kaṭhina (privileges). This is the motion. Honoured sirs, let the Order listen to me. The Order removes the kaṭhina (privileges). If the removal of the kaṭhina (privileges) is pleasing to the venerable ones, let them be silent. If it is not pleasing, they should speak. The kaṭhina (privileges) are removed by the Order, and it is right … So do I understand this.’”

Then that lay-follower, having approached the Order of nuns, asked for the removal of the kaṭhina (privileges). The nun Thullanandā, thinking, robe-material for us,” held back the removal of the kaṭhina (privileges). Then that lay-follower … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns not give a removal of the kaṭhina (privileges) for us?” Nuns heard that lay-follower who … spread it about. Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying: “How can the nun Thullanandā hold back a legally valid removal of the kaṭhina (privileges)?” …

“Is it true, as is said, monks, that the nun Thullanandā held back a legally valid removal of the kaṭhina (privileges)?”

“It is true, lord “… see Bi-Pc.27.1 “… this rule of training:

“Whatever nun should hold back a legally valid removal of the kaṭhina (privileges), there is an offence of expiation.”

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

Legally valid removal of the kaṭhina (privileges) means a complete Order of nuns, having collected together, remove them.

Should hold back means: if, saying: “How can this kaṭhina (privilege) be removed?” she holds it back, there is an offence of expiation.

If she thinks that it is legally valid when it is legally valid (and) holds it back … see Bi-Pc.27.2 … if she is the first wrong-doer.

The Third Division: that on being naked

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

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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

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