Not seeking the instruction (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC59)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on monasteries

Not seeking the instruction

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery.

At that time the nuns did not enquire about the observance day nor ask for the instruction.

The monks complained and criticized them,

“How can the nuns not enquire about the observance day nor ask for the instruction?” …

“Is it true, monks, that the nuns don’t do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them …

“How can the nuns not do this?

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

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

Final ruling

‘Every half-month a nun should seek two things from the Sangha of monks: asking it about the observance day and going to it for the instruction. If she lets the half-month pass, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”¹

Definitions

Every half-month:

every observance day.

The observance day:

there are two observance days: the fourteenth and the fifteenth day of the lunar half-month.²

The instruction:

the eight important principles.

If she thinks, “I won’t enquire about the observance day, nor ask for the instruction,” 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 ninth training rule is finished.