Giving robe-cloth to a nun (PLI-TV-BU-VB-PC25)

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law

The Great Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession

The subchapter on the instruction

Giving robe-cloth to a nun

Origin story

First substory

On one occasion when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery,

a certain monk was walking for almsfood along a street in Sāvatthī, as was a certain nun.

That monk said to that nun, “Go to such-and-such a place, sister, and you’ll get alms,”

and she said the same to him.

And because they met frequently, they became friends.

Just then robe-cloth belonging to the Sangha was being distributed.

Then, after going to the instruction, that nun went to that monk and bowed.

He then said to her, “Sister, will you accept my share of the robe-cloth?”

“Yes, venerable, my robes are worn.”

And he gave his robe-cloth to that nun.

As a consequence, his robes, too, became worn.

Other monks said to him, “Why don’t you make a robe for yourself?”

And he told them what had happened.

The monks of few desires complained and criticized him,

“How could a monk give robe-cloth to a nun?” …

“Is it true, monk, that you did this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

“Is she a relative of yours?”

“No.”

“Foolish man, a man and a woman who are unrelated don’t know what’s appropriate and inappropriate, what’s good and bad, in dealing with each other.

And still you did this.

This will affect people’s confidence …” …

“And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Preliminary ruling

‘If a monk gives robe-cloth to an unrelated nun, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

Second substory

Once this had happened, the monks did not even give robe-cloth to the nuns in exchange, being afraid of wrongdoing.

The nuns complained and criticized them,

“How can they not give us robe-cloth in exchange?”

The monks heard the complaints of those nuns

and they told the Buddha.

Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow you to give things in exchange to five kinds of people:

monks, nuns, trainee nuns, novice monks, and novice nuns.

And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling

‘If a monk gives robe-cloth to an unrelated nun, except in exchange, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A:

whoever …

Monk:

… The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case.

Unrelated:

anyone who is not a descendant of one’s male ancestors going back eight generations, either on the mother’s side or on the father’s side.¹

A nun:

she has been given the full ordination by both Sanghas.

Robe-cloth:

one of the six kinds of robe-cloth, but not smaller than what can be assigned to another.²

Except in exchange:

unless there is an exchange.

Permutations

If she is unrelated and he perceives her as such, and he gives her robe-cloth, except in exchange, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If she is unrelated, but he is unsure of it, and he gives her robe-cloth, except in exchange, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If she is unrelated, but he perceives her as related, and he gives her robe-cloth, except in exchange, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If he gives robe-cloth to a nun who is fully ordained only on one side, except in exchange, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she is related, but he perceives her as unrelated, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she is related, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If she is related and he perceives her as such, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense:

if she is related;

if much is exchanged with little or little is exchanged with much;

if the nun takes it on trust;³

if she borrows it;

if he gives any requisite apart from robe-cloth;

if it is a trainee nun;

if it is a novice nun;

if he is insane;

if he is the first offender.

The training rule on giving robe-cloth to a nun, the fifth, is finished.