Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Great Analysis Mahāvibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing confession Pācittiyakaṇḍa
The subchapter on the instruction Ovādavagga

21. The training rule on the instruction 21. Ovādasikkhāpada

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. At that time the senior monks who were instructing the nuns received robe-cloth, almsfood, dwellings, and medicinal supplies. Tena kho pana samayena therā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo ovadantā lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. When the monks from the group of six found out about this, Atha kho chabbaggiyānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ etadahosi—“etarahi kho, āvuso, therā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo ovadantā lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. they thought, “Well then, let’s instruct the nuns.” Handāvuso, mayampi bhikkhuniyo ovadāmā”ti. They then went to the nuns and said, “Come to us, Sisters, and we too will instruct you.” Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo upasaṅkamitvā etadavocuṁ—“amhepi, bhaginiyo, upasaṅkamatha; mayampi ovadissāmā”ti.

Soon afterwards those nuns went to the monks from the group of six, Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo yena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; bowed, and sat down. upasaṅkamitvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. But after giving just a short teaching, those monks spent the day on worldly talk. They then dismissed the nuns, saying, “Go, Sisters.” Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojesuṁ—“gacchatha, bhaginiyo”ti.

The nuns went to the Buddha and bowed, and the Buddha said to them, “Nuns, I hope the instruction was effective?” Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca—“kacci, bhikkhuniyo, ovādo iddho ahosī”ti?

“Sir, how could the instruction be effective? “Kuto, bhante, ovādo iddho bhavissati. After giving just a short teaching, the monks from the group of six spent the day on worldly talk, and then dismissed us.” Ayyā chabbaggiyā parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojesun”ti.

The Buddha instructed, inspired, and gladdened those nuns with a teaching. Atha kho bhagavā tā bhikkhuniyo dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi. The nuns bowed, circumambulated the Buddha with their right sides toward him, and left. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.

Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks from the group of six: Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe bhikkhusaṅghaṁ sannipātāpetvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū paṭipucchi—“Is it true, monks, that you acted like this?” “saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojethā”ti?

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

The Buddha rebuked them … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “Foolish men, how could you act like this? kathañhi nāma tumhe, moghapurisā, bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojessatha. This will affect people’s confidence …” Netaṁ, moghapurisā, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… After rebuking them … vigarahitvā …pe… he gave a teaching and addressed the monks: dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

“Monks, you should appoint an instructor of the nuns. “anujānāmi, bhikkhave, bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannituṁ. And this is how he should be appointed. Evañca pana, bhikkhave, sammannitabbo. First a monk should be asked Paṭhamaṁ bhikkhu yācitabbo. and then a competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha: Yācitvā byattena bhikkhunā paṭibalena saṅgho ñāpetabbo—

‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. ‘Suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. If the Sangha is ready, it should appoint monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. Yadi saṅghassa pattakallaṁ, saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammanneyya. This is the motion. Esā ñatti.

Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. Suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. The Sangha appoints monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. Saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannati. Any monk who approves of appointing monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns should remain silent. Yassāyasmato khamati itthannāmassa bhikkhuno bhikkhunovādakassa sammuti, so tuṇhassa; Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up. yassa nakkhamati, so bhāseyya.

For the second time, I speak on this matter. … Dutiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi …pe… For the third time, I speak on this matter. tatiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi—Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. The Sangha appoints monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. Saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannati. Any monk who approves of appointing monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns should remain silent. Yassāyasmato khamati itthannāmassa bhikkhuno bhikkhunovādakassa sammuti, so tuṇhassa; Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up. yassa nakkhamati, so bhāseyya.

The Sangha has appointed monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. Sammato saṅghena itthannāmo bhikkhu bhikkhunovādako. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.’” Khamati saṅghassa, tasmā tuṇhī, evametaṁ dhārayāmī’”ti.

Then, after rebuking the monks from the group of six in many ways, the Buddha spoke in dispraise of being difficult to support … Atha kho bhagavā chabbaggiye bhikkhū anekapariyāyena vigarahitvā dubbharatāya …pe… “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this: evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

Final ruling

‘If a monk who has not been appointed instructs the nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Yo pana bhikkhu asammato bhikkhuniyo ovadeyya pācittiyan”ti.

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

Second sub-story

After being appointed to do so, the senior monks who instructed the nuns still received robe-cloth, almsfood, dwellings, and medicinal supplies. Tena kho pana samayena therā bhikkhū sammatā bhikkhuniyo ovadantā tatheva lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. When they found out about this, the monks from the group of six said, Atha kho chabbaggiyānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ etadahosi—“etarahi kho, āvuso, therā bhikkhū sammatā bhikkhuniyo ovadantā tatheva lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. “Well then, let’s go outside the monastery zone, appoint each other as instructors of the nuns, and then instruct them.” Handāvuso, mayampi nissīmaṁ gantvā aññamaññaṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannitvā bhikkhuniyo ovadāmā”ti. After doing just that, they again went to the nuns and said, “Sisters, we too have been appointed. Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū nissīmaṁ gantvā aññamaññaṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannitvā bhikkhuniyo upasaṅkamitvā etadavocuṁ—“mayampi, bhaginiyo, sammatā. Come to us, and we will instruct you.” Amhepi upasaṅkamatha. Mayampi ovadissāmā”ti.

Once again the nuns went to the monks from the group of six and everything unfolded as before. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo yena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojesuṁ—“gacchatha, bhaginiyo”ti. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca—“kacci, bhikkhuniyo, ovādo iddho ahosī”ti? “Kuto, bhante, ovādo iddho bhavissati. Ayyā chabbaggiyā parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojesun”ti.

Atha kho bhagavā tā bhikkhuniyo dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi …pe… atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu. The Buddha then had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks from the group of six: Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe bhikkhusaṅghaṁ sannipātāpetvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū paṭipucchi—“Is it true, monks, that you acted like this?” “saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojethā”ti?

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

“Monks, you may appoint a monk who possesses eight qualities as an instructor of the nuns: “anujānāmi, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahaṅgehi samannāgataṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannituṁ.

He is virtuous and restrained by the Monastic Code. His conduct is good, he associates with the right people, and he sees danger in minor faults. He undertakes and trains in the training rules. Sīlavā hoti, pātimokkhasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati ācāragocarasampanno aṇumattesu vajjesu bhayadassāvī, samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu;
He has learned much, and he retains and accumulates what he has learned. Those teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, that have a true goal and are well articulated, and that set out the perfectly complete and pure spiritual life—he has learned many such teachings, retained them in mind, recited them verbally, mentally investigated them, and penetrated them well by view. bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo, ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasā anupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā;
He has properly learned both Monastic Codes in detail. He has analyzed them well, thoroughly mastered them, and investigated them well, both in terms of the rules and their detailed exposition. ubhayāni kho panassa pātimokkhāni vitthārena svāgatāni honti suvibhattāni suppavattīni suvinicchitāni suttaso anubyañjanaso;
He is well-spoken and has a good voice. kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo;
He is generally liked by and pleasing to the nuns. yebhuyyena bhikkhunīnaṁ piyo hoti manāpo;
He is capable of instructing the nuns. paṭibalo hoti bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ;
He has never committed a heavy offense against a Buddhist nun. na kho panetaṁ bhagavantaṁ uddissa pabbajitāya kāsāyavatthavasanāya garudhammaṁ ajjhāpannapubbo hoti;
He has been fully ordained for at least twenty years. vīsativasso vā hoti atirekavīsativasso vā—

Monks, you may appoint a monk who possesses these eight qualities as an instructor of the nuns.” anujānāmi, bhikkhave, imehi aṭṭhahaṅgehi samannāgataṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannitun”ti.

Definitions

A: Yo panāti

whoever … yo yādiso …pe…

Monk: bhikkhūti

… 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. …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippeto bhikkhūti.

Who has not been appointed: Asammato nāma

who has not been appointed through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements. ñatticatutthena kammena asammato.

Nuns: Bhikkhuniyo nāma

they have been given the full ordination by both Sanghas. ubhatosaṅghe upasampannā.

Instructs: Ovadeyyāti

if he instructs in the eight important principles, he commits an offense entailing confession. aṭṭhahi garudhammehi ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If he instructs in any other teaching, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Aññena dhammena ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If he instructs a nun who is fully ordained only on one side, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Ekatoupasampannaṁ ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

The monk who has been appointed should sweep the yard, set out water for drinking and water for washing, prepare a seat, get hold of a companion, and then sit down. Tena sammatena bhikkhunā pariveṇaṁ sammajjitvā pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ upaṭṭhāpetvā āsanaṁ paññapetvā dutiyaṁ gahetvā nisīditabbaṁ. The nuns should go there, bow down to the monk, and sit down. Bhikkhunīhi tattha gantvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīditabbaṁ. The monk should then ask them, Tena bhikkhunā pucchitabbā—“Are you all here, Sisters?” “samaggāttha, bhaginiyo”ti?

If they say, “We’re all here, venerable,” he should say, “Are you keeping the eight important principles?” Sace “samaggāmhāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, “vattanti, bhaginiyo, aṭṭha garudhammā”ti?

If they say, “We are,” he should say, “This is the instruction.” Sace “vattantāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, “eso, bhaginiyo, ovādo”ti niyyādetabbo.

If they say, “We’re not,” he should recite the important principles: Sace “na vattantāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, osāretabbā.

“A nun who has been fully ordained for a hundred years should bow down to a monk who was given the full ordination on that very day, and she should stand up for him, raise her joined palms to him, and do acts of respect toward him. “Vassasatūpasampannāya bhikkhuniyā tadahupasampannassa bhikkhuno abhivādanaṁ paccuṭṭhānaṁ añjalikammaṁ sāmīcikammaṁ kātabbaṁ; This principle is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo.
A nun shouldn’t spend the rainy-season residence in a monastery without monks. Na bhikkhuniyā abhikkhuke āvāse vassaṁ vasitabbaṁ; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo.
Every half-month a nun should seek two things from the Sangha of monks: Anvaddhamāsaṁ bhikkhuniyā bhikkhusaṅghato dve dhammā paccāsīsitabbā asking it about the observance day and going to it for the instruction. uposathapucchakañca ovādūpasaṅkamanañca, This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A nun who has completed the rainy-season residence should invite correction from both Sanghas in regard to three things: vassaṁ vuṭṭhāya bhikkhuniyā ubhatosaṅghe tīhi ṭhānehi pavāretabbaṁ what has been seen, heard, or suspected. diṭṭhena vā sutena vā parisaṅkāya vā; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A nun who has committed a heavy offense must undertake a trial period for a half-month toward both Sanghas. garudhammaṁ ajjhāpannāya bhikkhuniyā ubhatosaṅghe pakkhamānattaṁ caritabbaṁ; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A trainee nun who has trained for two years in the six rules may seek for full ordination in both Sanghas. dve vassāni chasu dhammesu sikkhitasikkhāya sikkhamānāya ubhatosaṅghe upasampadā pariyesitabbā; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A nun may not in any way abuse or revile a monk. na bhikkhuniyā kenaci pariyāyena bhikkhu akkositabbo paribhāsitabbo; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
From today onwards, nuns may not correct monks, but monks may correct nuns. ajjatagge ovaṭo bhikkhunīnaṁ bhikkhūsu vacanapatho, anovaṭo bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīsu vacanapatho; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.” ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo”ti.

If they say, “We’re all here, venerable,” and he instructs them with another teaching, then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Sace “samaggāmhāyyā”ti bhaṇantaṁ aññaṁ dhammaṁ bhaṇati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If they say, “We’re not all here, venerable,” and he instructs them in the eight important principles, then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Sace “vaggāmhāyyā”ti bhaṇantaṁ aṭṭha garudhamme bhaṇati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If he does not give the instruction, but he gives them another teaching, then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Ovādaṁ aniyyādetvā aññaṁ dhammaṁ bhaṇati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Permutations

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme vematiko samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. vematiko ovadati …pe… If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. vematiko ovadati …pe… If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. vematiko ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. vematiko ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. vematiko ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme vematiko samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. vematiko ovadati …pe… If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, there is no offense. Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, anāpatti.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: Anāpatti—if he recites; uddesaṁ dento, if he tests them; paripucchaṁ dento, if he recites when asked to do so; “osārehi ayyā”ti vuccamāno, osāreti, if he asks a question; pañhaṁ pucchati, if he replies when asked a question; pañhaṁ puṭṭho katheti, if he is speaking for the benefit of someone else and the nuns listen in; aññassatthāya bhaṇantaṁ bhikkhuniyo suṇanti, if it is to a trainee nun; sikkhamānāya, if it is to a novice nun; sāmaṇeriyā, if he is insane; ummattakassa, if he is the first offender. ādikammikassāti.

The training rule on the instruction, the first, is finished. Ovādasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.

English Translation

Pāli Text

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law
The Great Analysis
The chapter on offenses entailing confession
The subchapter on the instruction

21. The training rule on the instruction

Origin story

First sub-story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the senior monks who were instructing the nuns received robe-cloth, almsfood, dwellings, and medicinal supplies. When the monks from the group of six found out about this, they thought, “Well then, let’s instruct the nuns.” They then went to the nuns and said, “Come to us, Sisters, and we too will instruct you.”

Soon afterwards those nuns went to the monks from the group of six, bowed, and sat down. But after giving just a short teaching, those monks spent the day on worldly talk. They then dismissed the nuns, saying, “Go, Sisters.”

The nuns went to the Buddha and bowed, and the Buddha said to them, “Nuns, I hope the instruction was effective?”

“Sir, how could the instruction be effective? After giving just a short teaching, the monks from the group of six spent the day on worldly talk, and then dismissed us.”

The Buddha instructed, inspired, and gladdened those nuns with a teaching. The nuns bowed, circumambulated the Buddha with their right sides toward him, and left.

Soon afterwards the Buddha had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks from the group of six: “Is it true, monks, that you acted like this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how could you act like this? This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking them … he gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

“Monks, you should appoint an instructor of the nuns. And this is how he should be appointed. First a monk should be asked and then a competent and capable monk should inform the Sangha:

‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. If the Sangha is ready, it should appoint monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. This is the motion.

Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha appoints monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. Any monk who approves of appointing monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up.

For the second time, I speak on this matter. … For the third time, I speak on this matter. Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The Sangha appoints monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. Any monk who approves of appointing monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns should remain silent. Any monk who doesn’t approve should speak up.

The Sangha has appointed monk so-and-so as an instructor of the nuns. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I’ll remember it thus.’”

Then, after rebuking the monks from the group of six in many ways, the Buddha spoke in dispraise of being difficult to support … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

Final ruling

‘If a monk who has not been appointed instructs the nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

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

Second sub-story

After being appointed to do so, the senior monks who instructed the nuns still received robe-cloth, almsfood, dwellings, and medicinal supplies. When they found out about this, the monks from the group of six said, “Well then, let’s go outside the monastery zone, appoint each other as instructors of the nuns, and then instruct them.” After doing just that, they again went to the nuns and said, “Sisters, we too have been appointed. Come to us, and we will instruct you.”

Once again the nuns went to the monks from the group of six and everything unfolded as before.

The Buddha then had the Sangha gathered and questioned the monks from the group of six: “Is it true, monks, that you acted like this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how could you act like this? This will affect people’s confidence …” After rebuking them … he gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

“Monks, you may appoint a monk who possesses eight qualities as an instructor of the nuns:

He is virtuous and restrained by the Monastic Code. His conduct is good, he associates with the right people, and he sees danger in minor faults. He undertakes and trains in the training rules.
He has learned much, and he retains and accumulates what he has learned. Those teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, that have a true goal and are well articulated, and that set out the perfectly complete and pure spiritual life—he has learned many such teachings, retained them in mind, recited them verbally, mentally investigated them, and penetrated them well by view.
He has properly learned both Monastic Codes in detail. He has analyzed them well, thoroughly mastered them, and investigated them well, both in terms of the rules and their detailed exposition.
He is well-spoken and has a good voice.
He is generally liked by and pleasing to the nuns.
He is capable of instructing the nuns.
He has never committed a heavy offense against a Buddhist nun.
He has been fully ordained for at least twenty years.

Monks, you may appoint a monk who possesses these eight qualities as an instructor of the nuns.”

Definitions

A:

whoever …

Monk:

Who has not been appointed:

who has not been appointed through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements.

Nuns:

they have been given the full ordination by both Sanghas.

Instructs:

if he instructs in the eight important principles, he commits an offense entailing confession. If he instructs in any other teaching, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he instructs a nun who is fully ordained only on one side, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

The monk who has been appointed should sweep the yard, set out water for drinking and water for washing, prepare a seat, get hold of a companion, and then sit down. The nuns should go there, bow down to the monk, and sit down. The monk should then ask them, “Are you all here, Sisters?”

If they say, “We’re all here, venerable,” he should say, “Are you keeping the eight important principles?”

If they say, “We are,” he should say, “This is the instruction.”

If they say, “We’re not,” he should recite the important principles:

“A nun who has been fully ordained for a hundred years should bow down to a monk who was given the full ordination on that very day, and she should stand up for him, raise her joined palms to him, and do acts of respect toward him. This principle is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.
A nun shouldn’t spend the rainy-season residence in a monastery without monks. This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.
Every half-month a nun should seek two things from the Sangha of monks: asking it about the observance day and going to it for the instruction. This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.
A nun who has completed the rainy-season residence should invite correction from both Sanghas in regard to three things: what has been seen, heard, or suspected. This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.
A nun who has committed a heavy offense must undertake a trial period for a half-month toward both Sanghas. This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.
A trainee nun who has trained for two years in the six rules may seek for full ordination in both Sanghas. This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.
A nun may not in any way abuse or revile a monk. This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.
From today onwards, nuns may not correct monks, but monks may correct nuns. This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.”

If they say, “We’re all here, venerable,” and he instructs them with another teaching, then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If they say, “We’re not all here, venerable,” and he instructs them in the eight important principles, then he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he does not give the instruction, but he gives them another teaching, then he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Permutations

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as legitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is incomplete but he perceives it as complete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he perceives it as illegitimate, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure but he is unsure of it, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he perceives it as incomplete, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete but he is unsure of it, then if he instructs those nuns, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure and he perceives it as such, and the Sangha of nuns is complete and he perceives it as such, then if he instructs those nuns, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if he recites; if he tests them; if he recites when asked to do so; if he asks a question; if he replies when asked a question; if he is speaking for the benefit of someone else and the nuns listen in; if it is to a trainee nun; if it is to a novice nun; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

The training rule on the instruction, the first, is finished.

Theravāda Vinaya
Mahāvibhaṅga
Pācittiyakaṇḍa
Ovādavagga

21. Ovādasikkhāpada

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena therā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo ovadantā lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. Atha kho chabbaggiyānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ etadahosi—“etarahi kho, āvuso, therā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo ovadantā lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. Handāvuso, mayampi bhikkhuniyo ovadāmā”ti. Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhuniyo upasaṅkamitvā etadavocuṁ—“amhepi, bhaginiyo, upasaṅkamatha; mayampi ovadissāmā”ti.

Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca—“kacci, bhikkhuniyo, ovādo iddho ahosī”ti?

“Kuto, bhante, ovādo iddho bhavissati. Ayyā chabbaggiyā parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojesun”ti.

Atha kho bhagavā tā bhikkhuniyo dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi samādapesi samuttejesi sampahaṁsesi. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu.

Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe bhikkhusaṅghaṁ sannipātāpetvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū paṭipucchi—“saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojethā”ti?

“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… kathañhi nāma tumhe, moghapurisā, bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojessatha. Netaṁ, moghapurisā, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… vigarahitvā …pe… dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā bhikkhū āmantesi—

“anujānāmi, bhikkhave, bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannituṁ. Evañca pana, bhikkhave, sammannitabbo. Paṭhamaṁ bhikkhu yācitabbo. Yācitvā byattena bhikkhunā paṭibalena saṅgho ñāpetabbo—

‘Suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. Yadi saṅghassa pattakallaṁ, saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammanneyya. Esā ñatti.

Suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. Saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannati. Yassāyasmato khamati itthannāmassa bhikkhuno bhikkhunovādakassa sammuti, so tuṇhassa; yassa nakkhamati, so bhāseyya.

Dutiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi …pe… tatiyampi etamatthaṁ vadāmi—suṇātu me, bhante, saṅgho. Saṅgho itthannāmaṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannati. Yassāyasmato khamati itthannāmassa bhikkhuno bhikkhunovādakassa sammuti, so tuṇhassa; yassa nakkhamati, so bhāseyya.

Sammato saṅghena itthannāmo bhikkhu bhikkhunovādako. Khamati saṅghassa, tasmā tuṇhī, evametaṁ dhārayāmī’”ti.

Atha kho bhagavā chabbaggiye bhikkhū anekapariyāyena vigarahitvā dubbharatāya …pe… evañca pana, bhikkhave, imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddiseyyātha—

“Yo pana bhikkhu asammato bhikkhuniyo ovadeyya pācittiyan”ti.

Evañcidaṁ bhagavatā bhikkhūnaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ paññattaṁ hoti.

Tena kho pana samayena therā bhikkhū sammatā bhikkhuniyo ovadantā tatheva lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. Atha kho chabbaggiyānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ etadahosi—“etarahi kho, āvuso, therā bhikkhū sammatā bhikkhuniyo ovadantā tatheva lābhino honti cīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārānaṁ. Handāvuso, mayampi nissīmaṁ gantvā aññamaññaṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannitvā bhikkhuniyo ovadāmā”ti. Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū nissīmaṁ gantvā aññamaññaṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannitvā bhikkhuniyo upasaṅkamitvā etadavocuṁ—“mayampi, bhaginiyo, sammatā. Amhepi upasaṅkamatha. Mayampi ovadissāmā”ti.

Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo yena chabbaggiyā bhikkhū tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdiṁsu. Atha kho chabbaggiyā bhikkhū bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojesuṁ—“gacchatha, bhaginiyo”ti. Atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkamiṁsu; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhaṁsu. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavā etadavoca—“kacci, bhikkhuniyo, ovādo iddho ahosī”ti? “Kuto, bhante, ovādo iddho bhavissati. Ayyā chabbaggiyā parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojesun”ti.

Atha kho bhagavā tā bhikkhuniyo dhammiyā kathāya sandassesi …pe… atha kho tā bhikkhuniyo bhagavatā dhammiyā kathāya sandassitā samādapitā samuttejitā sampahaṁsitā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā pakkamiṁsu. Atha kho bhagavā etasmiṁ nidāne etasmiṁ pakaraṇe bhikkhusaṅghaṁ sannipātāpetvā chabbaggiye bhikkhū paṭipucchi—“saccaṁ kira tumhe, bhikkhave, bhikkhunīnaṁ parittaññeva dhammiṁ kathaṁ katvā divasaṁ tiracchānakathāya vītināmetvā uyyojethā”ti?

“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

“anujānāmi, bhikkhave, aṭṭhahaṅgehi samannāgataṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannituṁ.

Sīlavā hoti, pātimokkhasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati ācāragocarasampanno aṇumattesu vajjesu bhayadassāvī, samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu;
bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo, ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasā anupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā;
ubhayāni kho panassa pātimokkhāni vitthārena svāgatāni honti suvibhattāni suppavattīni suvinicchitāni suttaso anubyañjanaso;
kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo;
yebhuyyena bhikkhunīnaṁ piyo hoti manāpo;
paṭibalo hoti bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ;
na kho panetaṁ bhagavantaṁ uddissa pabbajitāya kāsāyavatthavasanāya garudhammaṁ ajjhāpannapubbo hoti;
vīsativasso vā hoti atirekavīsativasso vā—

anujānāmi, bhikkhave, imehi aṭṭhahaṅgehi samannāgataṁ bhikkhuṁ bhikkhunovādakaṁ sammannitun”ti.

Yo panāti

yo yādiso …pe…

bhikkhūti

…pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippeto bhikkhūti.

Asammato nāma

ñatticatutthena kammena asammato.

Bhikkhuniyo nāma

ubhatosaṅghe upasampannā.

Ovadeyyāti

aṭṭhahi garudhammehi ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Aññena dhammena ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Ekatoupasampannaṁ ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Tena sammatena bhikkhunā pariveṇaṁ sammajjitvā pānīyaṁ paribhojanīyaṁ upaṭṭhāpetvā āsanaṁ paññapetvā dutiyaṁ gahetvā nisīditabbaṁ. Bhikkhunīhi tattha gantvā taṁ bhikkhuṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīditabbaṁ. Tena bhikkhunā pucchitabbā—“samaggāttha, bhaginiyo”ti?

Sace “samaggāmhāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, “vattanti, bhaginiyo, aṭṭha garudhammā”ti?

Sace “vattantāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, “eso, bhaginiyo, ovādo”ti niyyādetabbo.

Sace “na vattantāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, osāretabbā.

“Vassasatūpasampannāya bhikkhuniyā tadahupasampannassa bhikkhuno abhivādanaṁ paccuṭṭhānaṁ añjalikammaṁ sāmīcikammaṁ kātabbaṁ; ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo.
Na bhikkhuniyā abhikkhuke āvāse vassaṁ vasitabbaṁ; ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo.
Anvaddhamāsaṁ bhikkhuniyā bhikkhusaṅghato dve dhammā paccāsīsitabbā uposathapucchakañca ovādūpasaṅkamanañca, ayampi dhammo …pe…
vassaṁ vuṭṭhāya bhikkhuniyā ubhatosaṅghe tīhi ṭhānehi pavāretabbaṁ diṭṭhena vā sutena vā parisaṅkāya vā; ayampi dhammo …pe…
garudhammaṁ ajjhāpannāya bhikkhuniyā ubhatosaṅghe pakkhamānattaṁ caritabbaṁ; ayampi dhammo …pe…
dve vassāni chasu dhammesu sikkhitasikkhāya sikkhamānāya ubhatosaṅghe upasampadā pariyesitabbā; ayampi dhammo …pe…
na bhikkhuniyā kenaci pariyāyena bhikkhu akkositabbo paribhāsitabbo; ayampi dhammo …pe…
ajjatagge ovaṭo bhikkhunīnaṁ bhikkhūsu vacanapatho, anovaṭo bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīsu vacanapatho; ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo”ti.

Sace “samaggāmhāyyā”ti bhaṇantaṁ aññaṁ dhammaṁ bhaṇati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Sace “vaggāmhāyyā”ti bhaṇantaṁ aṭṭha garudhamme bhaṇati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Ovādaṁ aniyyādetvā aññaṁ dhammaṁ bhaṇati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

Adhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

Adhammakamme vematiko samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… vematiko ovadati …pe… samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… vematiko ovadati …pe… samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti pācittiyassa.

Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati …pe… samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Dhammakamme vematiko vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… vematiko ovadati …pe… samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī vaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… vematiko ovadati …pe… samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… vematiko ovadati …pe… samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Dhammakamme vematiko samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati …pe… vematiko ovadati …pe… samaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vaggasaññī ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ vematiko ovadati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññī samaggaṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ samaggasaññī ovadati, anāpatti.

Anāpatti—uddesaṁ dento, paripucchaṁ dento, “osārehi ayyā”ti vuccamāno, osāreti, pañhaṁ pucchati, pañhaṁ puṭṭho katheti, aññassatthāya bhaṇantaṁ bhikkhuniyo suṇanti, sikkhamānāya, sāmaṇeriyā, ummattakassa, ādikammikassāti.

Ovādasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Great Analysis Mahāvibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing confession Pācittiyakaṇḍa
The subchapter on the instruction Ovādavagga

21. The training rule on the instruction 21. Ovādasikkhāpada

Origin story

First sub-story

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

Final ruling

‘If a monk who has not been appointed instructs the nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Yo pana bhikkhu asammato bhikkhuniyo ovadeyya pācittiyan”ti.

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

Second sub-story

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

He is virtuous and restrained by the Monastic Code. His conduct is good, he associates with the right people, and he sees danger in minor faults. He undertakes and trains in the training rules. Sīlavā hoti, pātimokkhasaṁvarasaṁvuto viharati ācāragocarasampanno aṇumattesu vajjesu bhayadassāvī, samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu;
He has learned much, and he retains and accumulates what he has learned. Those teachings that are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, that have a true goal and are well articulated, and that set out the perfectly complete and pure spiritual life—he has learned many such teachings, retained them in mind, recited them verbally, mentally investigated them, and penetrated them well by view. bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo, ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasā anupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā;
He has properly learned both Monastic Codes in detail. He has analyzed them well, thoroughly mastered them, and investigated them well, both in terms of the rules and their detailed exposition. ubhayāni kho panassa pātimokkhāni vitthārena svāgatāni honti suvibhattāni suppavattīni suvinicchitāni suttaso anubyañjanaso;
He is well-spoken and has a good voice. kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo;
He is generally liked by and pleasing to the nuns. yebhuyyena bhikkhunīnaṁ piyo hoti manāpo;
He is capable of instructing the nuns. paṭibalo hoti bhikkhuniyo ovadituṁ;
He has never committed a heavy offense against a Buddhist nun. na kho panetaṁ bhagavantaṁ uddissa pabbajitāya kāsāyavatthavasanāya garudhammaṁ ajjhāpannapubbo hoti;
He has been fully ordained for at least twenty years. vīsativasso vā hoti atirekavīsativasso vā—

Definitions

A: Yo panāti

whoever … yo yādiso …pe…

Monk: bhikkhūti

Who has not been appointed: Asammato nāma

who has not been appointed through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements. ñatticatutthena kammena asammato.

Nuns: Bhikkhuniyo nāma

they have been given the full ordination by both Sanghas. ubhatosaṅghe upasampannā.

Instructs: Ovadeyyāti

If they say, “We are,” he should say, “This is the instruction.” Sace “vattantāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, “eso, bhaginiyo, ovādo”ti niyyādetabbo.

If they say, “We’re not,” he should recite the important principles: Sace “na vattantāyyā”ti bhaṇanti, osāretabbā.

“A nun who has been fully ordained for a hundred years should bow down to a monk who was given the full ordination on that very day, and she should stand up for him, raise her joined palms to him, and do acts of respect toward him. “Vassasatūpasampannāya bhikkhuniyā tadahupasampannassa bhikkhuno abhivādanaṁ paccuṭṭhānaṁ añjalikammaṁ sāmīcikammaṁ kātabbaṁ; This principle is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo.
A nun shouldn’t spend the rainy-season residence in a monastery without monks. Na bhikkhuniyā abhikkhuke āvāse vassaṁ vasitabbaṁ; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo.
Every half-month a nun should seek two things from the Sangha of monks: Anvaddhamāsaṁ bhikkhuniyā bhikkhusaṅghato dve dhammā paccāsīsitabbā asking it about the observance day and going to it for the instruction. uposathapucchakañca ovādūpasaṅkamanañca, This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A nun who has completed the rainy-season residence should invite correction from both Sanghas in regard to three things: vassaṁ vuṭṭhāya bhikkhuniyā ubhatosaṅghe tīhi ṭhānehi pavāretabbaṁ what has been seen, heard, or suspected. diṭṭhena vā sutena vā parisaṅkāya vā; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A nun who has committed a heavy offense must undertake a trial period for a half-month toward both Sanghas. garudhammaṁ ajjhāpannāya bhikkhuniyā ubhatosaṅghe pakkhamānattaṁ caritabbaṁ; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A trainee nun who has trained for two years in the six rules may seek for full ordination in both Sanghas. dve vassāni chasu dhammesu sikkhitasikkhāya sikkhamānāya ubhatosaṅghe upasampadā pariyesitabbā; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
A nun may not in any way abuse or revile a monk. na bhikkhuniyā kenaci pariyāyena bhikkhu akkositabbo paribhāsitabbo; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached. ayampi dhammo …pe…
From today onwards, nuns may not correct monks, but monks may correct nuns. ajjatagge ovaṭo bhikkhunīnaṁ bhikkhūsu vacanapatho, anovaṭo bhikkhūnaṁ bhikkhunīsu vacanapatho; This principle too is to be honored and respected all one’s life, and is not to be breached.” ayampi dhammo sakkatvā garukatvā mānetvā pūjetvā yāvajīvaṁ anatikkamanīyo”ti.

Permutations

Non-offenses

The training rule on the instruction, the first, is finished. Ovādasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ paṭhamaṁ.