Not following a mentor (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC69)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on pregnant women

Not following a mentor

Origin story

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

At that time nuns who had received the full admission did not follow their mentors for two years.

They were ignorant and incompetent,

and they did not know what was allowable and what was not.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them,

“How can those nuns receive the full admission and then not follow their mentors for two years?” …

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

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them …

“How can nuns 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 follow the mentor who gave her the full admission for two years, 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.

Who gave her the full admission:

who gave her the full ordination.

The mentor:

the preceptor is what is meant.

Two years:

two twelve-month periods.

Does not follow:

does not herself attend on her.

If she thinks, “I won’t follow her for two years,” then by the mere fact of abandoning her duty, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if the preceptor is ignorant or shameless;

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.