Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Nuns’ Analysis Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing acknowledgment Pāṭidesanīyakaṇḍa

The training rule on asking for ghee 1. Sappiviññāpanasikkhāpada

Venerables, these eight rules on acknowledgment come up for recitation. Ime kho panāyyāyo aṭṭha pāṭidesanīyā dhammā uddesaṁ āgacchanti.

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. the nuns from the group of six were eating ghee that they had asked for. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjanti. People complained and criticized them, Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can nuns eat ghee that they have asked for? “kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjissanti. Who doesn’t like nice food? Who doesn’t prefer tasty food?” Kassa sampannaṁ na manāpaṁ, kassa sāduṁ na ruccatī”ti.

The nuns heard the complaints of those people. Assosuṁ kho bhikkhuniyo tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā …pe… tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How can the nuns from the group of six eat ghee that they have asked for?” … “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjissantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā, bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjantī”ti?

“It’s true, Sir.” “Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “How can the nuns from the group of six do this? kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjissanti. This will affect people’s confidence …” … Netaṁ, bhikkhave, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this: evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—

First preliminary ruling

‘If a nun asks for ghee and then eats it, she must acknowledge it: “Yā pana bhikkhunī sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjeyya, paṭidesetabbaṁ tāya bhikkhuniyā—“I have done a blameworthy and unsuitable thing that is to be acknowledged. I acknowledge it.”’” ‘gārayhaṁ, ayye, dhammaṁ āpajjiṁ asappāyaṁ pāṭidesanīyaṁ, taṁ paṭidesemī’”ti.

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the nuns. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhunīnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a number of nuns were sick. Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhuniyo gilānā honti. The nuns who were looking after them asked, Gilānapucchikā bhikkhuniyo gilānā bhikkhuniyo etadavocuṁ—“I hope you’re bearing up? I hope you’re getting better?” “kacci, ayye, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyan”ti?

“Previously we ate ghee that we had asked for, and then we were comfortable. “Pubbe mayaṁ, ayye, sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjāma, tena no phāsu hoti; But now that the Buddha has prohibited this, we don’t ask because we’re afraid of wrongdoing. And because of that we’re not comfortable.” … idāni pana ‘bhagavatā paṭikkhittan’ti kukkuccāyantā na viññāpema, tena no na phāsu hotī”ti …pe…

They told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and addressed the monks: bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow a sick nun to eat ghee that she has asked for. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, gilānāya bhikkhuniyā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—

Final ruling

‘If a nun who is not sick asks for ghee and then eats it, she must acknowledge it: “Yā pana bhikkhunī agilānā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjeyya, paṭidesetabbaṁ tāya bhikkhuniyā—“I have done a blameworthy and unsuitable thing that is to be acknowledged. I acknowledge it.”’” ‘gārayhaṁ, ayye, dhammaṁ āpajjiṁ asappāyaṁ pāṭidesanīyaṁ taṁ paṭidesemī’”ti.

Definitions

A: Yā panāti: whoever … yā yādisā …pe…
Nun: bhikkhunīti: … 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. …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippetā bhikkhunīti.
Who is not sick: Agilānā nāma: who is comfortable without ghee. yassā vinā sappinā phāsu hoti.
Who is sick: Gilānā nāma: who is not comfortable without ghee. yassā vinā sappinā na phāsu hoti.
Ghee: Sappi nāma: ghee from cows, ghee from goats, ghee from buffaloes, or ghee from whatever animal whose meat is allowable. gosappi vā ajikāsappi vā mahiṁsasappi vā. Yesaṁ maṁsaṁ kappati tesaṁ sappi.

If she is not sick and she asks for herself, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct. Agilānā attano atthāya viññāpeti, payoge dukkaṭaṁ. When she receives it with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Paṭilābhena “bhuñjissāmī”ti paṭiggaṇhāti, āpatti dukkaṭassa. For every mouthful, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment. Ajjhohāre ajjhohāre āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa.

Permutations

If she is not sick, and she does not perceive herself as sick, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment. Agilānā agilānasaññā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjati, āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa. If she is not sick, but she is unsure of it, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment. Agilānā vematikā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjati, āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa. If she is not sick, but she perceives herself as sick, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment. Agilānā gilānasaññā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjati, āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa.

If she is sick, but she does not perceive herself as sick, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Gilānā agilānasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If she is sick, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Gilānā vematikā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If she is sick, and she perceives herself as sick, there is no offense. Gilānā gilānasaññā, anāpatti.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: Anāpatti—if she is sick; gilānāya, if she asked for it when she was sick, but eats it when she is no longer sick; gilānā hutvā viññāpetvā agilānā bhuñjati, if she eats the leftovers from one who is sick; gilānāya sesakaṁ bhuñjati, if it is from relatives; ñātakānaṁ, if it is from those who have given an invitation; pavāritānaṁ, if it is for the benefit of someone else; aññassatthāya, if it is by means of her own property; attano dhanena, if she is insane; ummattikāya, if she is the first offender. ādikammikāyāti.

The first training rule on acknowledgment is finished. Paṭhamapāṭidesanīyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

English Translation

Pāli Text

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law
The Nuns’ Analysis
The chapter on offenses entailing acknowledgment

The training rule on asking for ghee

Venerables, these eight rules on acknowledgment come up for recitation.

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the nuns from the group of six were eating ghee that they had asked for. People complained and criticized them, “How can nuns eat ghee that they have asked for? Who doesn’t like nice food? Who doesn’t prefer tasty food?”

The nuns heard the complaints of those people. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns from the group of six eat ghee that they have asked for?” … “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them … “How can the nuns from the group of six do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

First preliminary ruling

‘If a nun asks for ghee and then eats it, she must acknowledge it: “I have done a blameworthy and unsuitable thing that is to be acknowledged. I acknowledge it.”’”

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

Second sub-story

Soon afterwards a number of nuns were sick. The nuns who were looking after them asked, “I hope you’re bearing up? I hope you’re getting better?”

“Previously we ate ghee that we had asked for, and then we were comfortable. But now that the Buddha has prohibited this, we don’t ask because we’re afraid of wrongdoing. And because of that we’re not comfortable.” …

They told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow a sick nun to eat ghee that she has asked for.

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun who is not sick asks for ghee and then eats it, she must acknowledge it: “I have done a blameworthy and unsuitable thing that is to be acknowledged. I acknowledge it.”’”

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.
Who is not sick:: who is comfortable without ghee.
Who is sick:: who is not comfortable without ghee.
Ghee:: ghee from cows, ghee from goats, ghee from buffaloes, or ghee from whatever animal whose meat is allowable.

If she is not sick and she asks for herself, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct. When she receives it with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. For every mouthful, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment.

Permutations

If she is not sick, and she does not perceive herself as sick, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment. If she is not sick, but she is unsure of it, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment. If she is not sick, but she perceives herself as sick, and she eats ghee that she has asked for, she commits an offense entailing acknowledgment.

If she is sick, but she does not perceive herself as sick, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is sick, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is sick, and she perceives herself as sick, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if she is sick; if she asked for it when she was sick, but eats it when she is no longer sick; if she eats the leftovers from one who is sick; if it is from relatives; if it is from those who have given an invitation; if it is for the benefit of someone else; if it is by means of her own property; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

The first training rule on acknowledgment is finished.

Theravāda Vinaya
Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
Pāṭidesanīyakaṇḍa

1. Sappiviññāpanasikkhāpada

Ime kho panāyyāyo aṭṭha pāṭidesanīyā dhammā uddesaṁ āgacchanti.

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjanti. Manussā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“kathañhi nāma bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjissanti. Kassa sampannaṁ na manāpaṁ, kassa sāduṁ na ruccatī”ti.

Assosuṁ kho bhikkhuniyo tesaṁ manussānaṁ ujjhāyantānaṁ khiyyantānaṁ vipācentānaṁ. Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā …pe… tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjissantī”ti …pe… “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā, bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjantī”ti?

“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjissanti. Netaṁ, bhikkhave, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—

“Yā pana bhikkhunī sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjeyya, paṭidesetabbaṁ tāya bhikkhuniyā—‘gārayhaṁ, ayye, dhammaṁ āpajjiṁ asappāyaṁ pāṭidesanīyaṁ, taṁ paṭidesemī’”ti.

Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhunīnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Tena kho pana samayena bhikkhuniyo gilānā honti. Gilānapucchikā bhikkhuniyo gilānā bhikkhuniyo etadavocuṁ—“kacci, ayye, khamanīyaṁ, kacci yāpanīyan”ti?

“Pubbe mayaṁ, ayye, sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjāma, tena no phāsu hoti; idāni pana ‘bhagavatā paṭikkhittan’ti kukkuccāyantā na viññāpema, tena no na phāsu hotī”ti …pe…

bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

anujānāmi, bhikkhave, gilānāya bhikkhuniyā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjituṁ.

Evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—

“Yā pana bhikkhunī agilānā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjeyya, paṭidesetabbaṁ tāya bhikkhuniyā—‘gārayhaṁ, ayye, dhammaṁ āpajjiṁ asappāyaṁ pāṭidesanīyaṁ taṁ paṭidesemī’”ti.

Yā panāti: yā yādisā …pe…
bhikkhunīti: …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippetā bhikkhunīti.
Agilānā nāma: yassā vinā sappinā phāsu hoti.
Gilānā nāma: yassā vinā sappinā na phāsu hoti.
Sappi nāma: gosappi vā ajikāsappi vā mahiṁsasappi vā. Yesaṁ maṁsaṁ kappati tesaṁ sappi.

Agilānā attano atthāya viññāpeti, payoge dukkaṭaṁ. Paṭilābhena “bhuñjissāmī”ti paṭiggaṇhāti, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Ajjhohāre ajjhohāre āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa.

Agilānā agilānasaññā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjati, āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa. Agilānā vematikā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjati, āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa. Agilānā gilānasaññā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjati, āpatti pāṭidesanīyassa.

Gilānā agilānasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Gilānā vematikā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Gilānā gilānasaññā, anāpatti.

Anāpatti—gilānāya, gilānā hutvā viññāpetvā agilānā bhuñjati, gilānāya sesakaṁ bhuñjati, ñātakānaṁ, pavāritānaṁ, aññassatthāya, attano dhanena, ummattikāya, ādikammikāyāti.

Paṭhamapāṭidesanīyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Nuns’ Analysis Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing acknowledgment Pāṭidesanīyakaṇḍa

The training rule on asking for ghee 1. Sappiviññāpanasikkhāpada

Venerables, these eight rules on acknowledgment come up for recitation. Ime kho panāyyāyo aṭṭha pāṭidesanīyā dhammā uddesaṁ āgacchanti.

Origin story

First sub-story

“It’s true, Sir.” “Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

First preliminary ruling

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the nuns. Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhunīnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Second sub-story

They told the Buddha. Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and addressed the monks: bhagavato etamatthaṁ ārocesuṁ …pe…

“Monks, I allow a sick nun to eat ghee that she has asked for. anujānāmi, bhikkhave, gilānāya bhikkhuniyā sappiṁ viññāpetvā bhuñjituṁ.

And so, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this: Evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—

Final ruling

Definitions

A: Yā panāti: whoever … yā yādisā …pe…
Nun: bhikkhunīti: … 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. …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippetā bhikkhunīti.
Who is not sick: Agilānā nāma: who is comfortable without ghee. yassā vinā sappinā phāsu hoti.
Who is sick: Gilānā nāma: who is not comfortable without ghee. yassā vinā sappinā na phāsu hoti.
Ghee: Sappi nāma: ghee from cows, ghee from goats, ghee from buffaloes, or ghee from whatever animal whose meat is allowable. gosappi vā ajikāsappi vā mahiṁsasappi vā. Yesaṁ maṁsaṁ kappati tesaṁ sappi.

Permutations

Non-offenses

The first training rule on acknowledgment is finished. Paṭhamapāṭidesanīyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.