- Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
- The Nuns’ Analysis Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
- The chapter on offenses entailing confession Pācittiyakaṇḍa
- The subchapter on nakedness Naggavagga
The training rule on bathing robes 22. Udakasāṭikasikkhāpada
Origin 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 Buddha had allowed bathing robes for the nuns. Tena kho pana samayena bhagavatā bhikkhunīnaṁ udakasāṭikā anuññātā hoti. Chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo—Knowing this, the nuns from the group of six wore bathing robes of inappropriate size. “bhagavatā udakasāṭikā anuññātā”ti appamāṇikāyo udakasāṭikāyo dhāresuṁ. As they were walking about, they were dragging them along, both in front and behind. Puratopi pacchatopi ākaḍḍhantā āhiṇḍanti.
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 wear such bathing robes?” … “kathañhi nāma chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo appamāṇikāyo udakasāṭikāyo dhāressantī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that the nuns from the group of six do this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo appamāṇikāyo udakasāṭikāyo dhārentī”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 wear such bathing robes? kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, chabbaggiyā bhikkhuniyo appamāṇikāyo udakasāṭikāyo dhāressanti. 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—
Final ruling
‘If a nun is having a bathing robe made, it should be made the right size. This is the right size: four standard handspans long and two wide. If it exceeds that, it is to be cut down, and she commits an offense entailing confession.’” “Udakasāṭikaṁ pana bhikkhuniyā kārayamānāya pamāṇikā kāretabbā. Tatridaṁ pamāṇaṁ—dīghaso catasso vidatthiyo, sugatavidatthiyā; tiriyaṁ dve vidatthiyo. Taṁ atikkāmentiyā chedanakaṁ pācittiyan”ti.
Definitions
- A bathing robe: Udakasāṭikā nāma
- wearing it as a sarong, she bathes. yāya nivatthā nahāyati.
- Is having made: Kārayamānāyāti
- making it herself or having someone else make it, it should be made the right size. karontiyā vā kārāpentiyā vā. Pamāṇikā kāretabbā. This is the right size: four standard handspans long and two wide. Tatridaṁ pamāṇaṁ— dīghaso catasso vidatthiyo, sugatavidatthiyā; tiriyaṁ dve vidatthiyo. If she makes one or has one made that exceeds that, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct. Taṁ atikkāmetvā karoti vā kārāpeti vā, payoge dukkaṭaṁ. When she gets it, it is to be cut down, and she is then to confess an offense entailing confession. Paṭilābhena chinditvā pācittiyaṁ desetabbaṁ.
Permutations
If she finishes what she began herself, she commits an offense entailing confession. Attanā vippakataṁ attanā pariyosāpeti, āpatti pācittiyassa. If she has others finish what she began herself, she commits an offense entailing confession. Attanā vippakataṁ parehi pariyosāpeti, āpatti pācittiyassa. If she finishes herself what was begun by others, she commits an offense entailing confession. Parehi vippakataṁ attanā pariyosāpeti, āpatti pācittiyassa. If she has others finish what was begun by others, she commits an offense entailing confession. Parehi vippakataṁ parehi pariyosāpeti, āpatti pācittiyassa.
If she makes one or has one made for the benefit of someone else, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Aññassatthāya karoti vā kārāpeti vā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If she gets one that was made by someone else and then uses it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Aññena kataṁ paṭilabhitvā paribhuñjati, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
Non-offenses
There is no offense: Anāpatti—if she makes it the right size; pamāṇikaṁ karoti, if she makes it smaller than the right size; ūnakaṁ karoti, if she gets one made by someone else that exceeds the right size and she cuts it down before using it; aññena kataṁ pamāṇātikkantaṁ paṭilabhitvā chinditvā paribhuñjati, if she makes a canopy, a floor cover, a cloth screen, a mattress, or a pillow; vitānaṁ vā bhūmattharaṇaṁ vā sāṇipākāraṁ vā bhisiṁ vā bibbohanaṁ vā karoti, if she is insane; ummattikāya, if she is the first offender. ādikammikāyāti.
The second training rule is finished. Dutiyasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.