Nuns’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 90 (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC90)

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns caused (themselves) to be rubbed (with ointment) and also caused (themselves) to be massaged by a nun. People, engaged in touring the dwelling-place, having seen (them), … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns cause (themselves) to be rubbed (with ointment) and also cause (themselves) to be massaged by a nun, just like women householders who enjoy pleasures of the senses?” Nuns heard these people who … spread it about. Those who were modest nuns … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns cause (themselves) to be rubbed … by a nun?” …

“Is it true, as is said, monks, that nuns caused (themselves) to be rubbed … by a nun?”

“It is true, lord.”

The enlightened one, the lord, rebuked them, saying:

“How, monks, can nuns cause (themselves) to be rubbed (with ointment) and also cause themselves to be massaged by a nun? It is not, monks, for pleasing those who are not (yet) pleased … this rule of training:

“Whatever nun should cause (herself) to be rubbed (with ointment) or should cause (herself) to be massaged by a nun, there is an offence of expiation.”

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

By a nun means: by another nun.

Should cause (herself) to be rubbed (with ointment) means: if she makes (another) rub (her with ointment), there is an offence of expiation.

Should cause (herself) to be massaged means: if she makes (another) rub (her), there is an offence of expiation.

There is no offence if she is ill; if there are accidents; 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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