Not going to the instruction (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC58)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on monasteries

Not going to the instruction

Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying in the Sakyan country in the Banyan Tree Monastery at Kapilavatthu,

the monks from the group of six went to the nunnery to instruct the nuns from the group of six.

Soon afterwards other nuns said to those nuns,

“Come, venerables, let’s go to the instruction.”

“There’s no need. The monks from the group of six came and instructed us right here.”

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them,

“How could the nuns from the group of six not go to the instruction?” …

“Is it true, monks, that those nuns didn’t do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them …

“How could the nuns from the group of six not do this?

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun does not go to the instruction or to a formal meeting of the community, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

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.

The instruction:

the eight important principles.

The community:

joint legal procedures, a joint recitation, the same training.¹

If she thinks, “I won’t go to the instruction or to formal meetings of the community,” then by the mere fact of abandoning her duty, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if there is an obstacle;

if she searches for a companion nun, but does not find one;

if she is sick;

if there is an emergency;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The eighth training rule is finished.