Nuns’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 72 (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC72)

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns ordained a maiden who had completed twenty years of age (but) who had not trained for two years in the six rules. These were ignorant, inexperienced … Bi-Pc.66.1. Instead of a girl married for full twelve years read a maiden who has completed twenty years of age. … he addressed the monks, saying:

“I allow you, monks, to give a maiden of eighteen years of age the agreement as to training for two years in the six rules. And thus, monks, should it be given: That maiden of eighteen years of age having approached the Order …” Bi-Pc.66.1. Instead of a girl married for full twelve years read a maiden of eighteen years of age. … “… this rule of training:

“Whatever nun should ordain a maiden who has completed twenty years of age (but) who has not trained for two years in the six rules, there is an offence of expiation.”

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

Has completed twenty years of age means: has attained to twenty years of age.

Maiden means: she is called a female novice.

Two years means: … Bi-Pc.63.2 …

There is no offence if she ordains a maiden who has completed twenty years of age and who has trained for two years in the six rules; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.

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

Digital edition prepared for SuttaCentral by Bhikkhu Sujato

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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

Vol. 4: 1951

Vol. 5: 1950

Vol. 6: 1966

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