Not sending away a new disciple (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC70)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on pregnant women

Not sending away a new disciple

Origin story

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

At that time the nun Thullanandā gave the full admission to a disciple, but then neither sent her away nor had her sent away.

And so her husband got hold of her.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,

“How could Venerable Thullanandā give the full admission to a disciple, and then neither send her away nor have her sent away?

If this nun had gone away, her husband would not have gotten hold of her.” …

“Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā didn’t do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked her …

“How could the nun Thullanandā 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 gives the full admission to a disciple, and then neither sends her away nor has her sent away at least 65 to 80 kilometers, 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.

Disciple:

student is what is meant.

Gives the full admission:

gives the full ordination.

Neither sends her away:

she does not herself send her away.¹

Nor has her sent away:

she does not ask anyone else to send her away.

If she thinks, “I’ll neither send her away nor have her sent away, not even 65 to 80 kilometers,” then by the mere fact of abandoning her duty, she commits an offense entailing confession.²

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if there is an obstacle;

if she searches for a companion nun for her, but cannot find anyone;

if she is sick;

if there is an emergency;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The tenth training rule is finished.

The seventh subchapter on pregnant women is finished.