Sitting in front without permission (PLI-TV-BI-VB-PC94)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on sunshades and sandals

Sitting in front without permission

Origin story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery,

nuns sat down on seats in front of a monk without asking permission.

The monks complained and criticized them,

“How can nuns sit down on seats in front of a monk without asking permission?” …

“Is it true, monks, that nuns do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them …

“How can nuns do this?

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun sits down on a seat in front of a monk without asking permission, 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.

In front of a monk:

in front of one who is fully ordained.

Without asking permission:

without getting permission.

Sits down on a seat:

even if she sits down on the ground, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If she has not asked permission, and she does not perceive that she has, and she sits down on a seat, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she has not asked permission, but she is unsure of it, and she sits down on a seat, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she has not asked permission, but she perceives that she has, and she sits down on a seat, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she has asked permission, but she does not perceive that she has, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she has asked permission, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she has asked permission, and she perceives that she has, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she sits down on the seat after asking permission;

if she is sick;

if there is an emergency;

if she is insane;

if she is the first offender.

The eleventh training rule is finished.