Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Nuns’ Analysis Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing suspension Saṅghādisesakaṇḍa

The training rule on readmitting one who has been ejected 4. Ukkhittakaosāraṇasikkhāpada

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 nun Caṇḍakāḷī was quarrelsome and argumentative, and she created legal issues in the Sangha. Tena kho pana samayena caṇḍakāḷī bhikkhunī bhaṇḍanakārikā hoti kalahakārikā vivādakārikā bhassakārikā saṅghe adhikaraṇakārikā. But when a legal procedure was being done against her, the nun Thullanandā objected. Thullanandā bhikkhunī tassā kamme karīyamāne paṭikkosati.

Soon afterwards Thullanandā went to a village on some business. Tena kho pana samayena thullanandā bhikkhunī gāmakaṁ agamāsi kenacideva karaṇīyena. The Sangha of nuns Atha kho bhikkhunisaṅgho—took the opportunity to eject Caṇḍakāḷī for not recognizing an offense. “thullanandā bhikkhunī pakkantā”ti, caṇḍakāḷiṁ bhikkhuniṁ āpattiyā adassane ukkhipi. When Thullanandā had finished her business in that village, she returned to Sāvatthī. Thullanandā bhikkhunī gāmake taṁ karaṇīyaṁ tīretvā punadeva sāvatthiṁ paccāgacchi. On her return, Caṇḍakāḷī neither prepared a seat for her, nor set out a foot stool, a foot scraper, or water for washing the feet; and she did not go out to meet her to receive her bowl and robe, nor ask whether she wanted water to drink. Caṇḍakāḷī bhikkhunī thullanandāya bhikkhuniyā āgacchantiyā neva āsanaṁ paññapesi na pādodakaṁ pādapīṭhaṁ pādakaṭhalikaṁ upanikkhipi na paccuggantvā pattacīvaraṁ paṭiggahesi na pānīyena āpucchi. Thullanandā asked her Thullanandā bhikkhunī caṇḍakāḷiṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavoca—why she was acting like this. “kissa tvaṁ, ayye, mayi āgacchantiyā neva āsanaṁ paññapesi na pādodakaṁ pādapīṭhaṁ pādakaṭhalikaṁ upanikkhipi na paccuggantvā pattacīvaraṁ paṭiggahesi na pānīyena āpucchī”ti? She replied, “That’s how it is, Venerable, when you don’t have a protector.” “Evañhetaṁ, ayye, hoti yathā taṁ anāthāyā”ti.

“But how is it, Venerable, that you don’t have a protector?” “Kissa pana tvaṁ, ayye, anāthā”ti?

“When the nuns knew “Imā maṁ, ayye, bhikkhuniyo—that no one would speak up for me because I am not esteemed by them and I didn’t have a protector, they ejected me for not recognizing an offense.” ‘ayaṁ anāthā appaññātā, natthi imissā kāci paṭivattā’ti, āpattiyā adassane ukkhipiṁsū”ti.

Thullanandā bhikkhunī—“They are incompetent fools. They don’t know about legal procedures or their flaws, nor what makes them fail or succeed. “bālā etā abyattā etā, neva jānanti kammaṁ vā kammadosaṁ vā kammavipattiṁ vā kammasampattiṁ vā. But we know all these things. Mayaṁ kho jānāma kammampi kammadosampi kammavipattimpi kammasampattimpi. We can get legal procedures done that haven’t been done, and we can get procedures that have been done overturned.” And she quickly gathered a sangha of nuns and readmitted the nun Caṇḍakāḷī. Mayaṁ kho akataṁ vā kammaṁ kāreyyāma kataṁ vā kammaṁ kopeyyāmā”ti, lahuṁ lahuṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ sannipātetvā caṇḍakāḷiṁ bhikkhuniṁ osāresi.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā …pe… tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“How could Venerable Thullanandā readmit a nun who had been ejected by a unanimous Sangha in accordance with the Teaching, the Monastic Law, and the Teacher’s instruction, without first getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure and without the consent of the community?” … “kathañhi nāma ayyā thullanandā samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāressatī”ti …pe… “Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?” “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāretī”ti?

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

The Buddha rebuked her … Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… “How could the nun Thullanandā readmit a nun who had been ejected by a unanimous Sangha in accordance with the Teaching, the Monastic Law, and the Teacher’s instruction, without first getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure and without the consent of the community? kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāressati. 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, without getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure and without the consent of the community, readmits a nun who has been ejected by a unanimous Sangha in accordance with the Teaching and the Monastic Law and the Teacher’s instruction, then that nun too has committed an immediate offense entailing sending away and suspension.’” “Yā pana bhikkhunī samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāreyya, ayampi bhikkhunī paṭhamāpattikaṁ dhammaṁ āpannā nissāraṇīyaṁ saṅghādisesan”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.
A unanimous Sangha: Samaggo nāma saṅgho: those belonging to the same Buddhist sect and staying within the same monastery zone. samānasaṁvāsako samānasīmāyaṁ ṭhito.
Who has been ejected: Ukkhittā nāma: who has been ejected for not recognizing an offense, for not making amends, or for not giving up a bad view. āpattiyā adassane vā appaṭikamme vā appaṭinissagge vā ukkhittā.
In accordance with the Teaching and the Monastic Law: Dhammena vinayenāti: in accordance with that Teaching, in accordance with that Monastic Law. yena dhammena yena vinayena.
In accordance with the Teacher’s instruction: Satthusāsanenāti: in accordance with the Victor’s instruction, in accordance with the Buddha’s instruction. jinasāsanena buddhasāsanena.
Without getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure: Anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghanti: without having asked permission of the Sangha that did the legal procedure of ejection. kammakārakasaṅghaṁ anāpucchā.
Without the consent of the community: Anaññāya gaṇassa chandanti: without being aware of any consent from the community. gaṇassa chandaṁ ajānitvā. If, intending to readmit her, she searches for a group or establishes a monastery zone, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. “Osāressāmī”ti gaṇaṁ vā pariyesati, sīmaṁ vā sammannati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. After the motion, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. After each of the first two announcements, she commits a serious offense. When the last announcement is finished, she commits an offense entailing suspension. Ñattiyā dukkaṭaṁ, dvīhi kammavācāhi thullaccayā, kammavācāpariyosāne āpatti saṅghādisesassa.
That too: Ayampīti: this is said with reference to the preceding offenses. purimāyo upādāya vuccati.
An immediate offense: Paṭhamāpattikanti: there is an offense as soon as the misconduct is committed, and no pressing is required. saha vatthujjhācārā āpajjati asamanubhāsanāya.
Entailing sending away: Nissāraṇīyanti: she is sent away from the Sangha. saṅghamhā nissārīyati.
Suspension: Saṅghādisesoti: … Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension. …pe… tenapi vuccati saṅghādisesoti.

Permutations

If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, and she readmits her, she commits an offense entailing suspension. Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññā osāreti, āpatti saṅghādisesassa. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, and she readmits her, she commits an offense entailing suspension. Dhammakamme vematikā osāreti āpatti saṅghādisesassa. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as illegitimate, and she readmits her, she commits an offense entailing suspension. Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññā osāreti, āpatti saṅghādisesassa.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as legitimate, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Adhammakamme vematikā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: Anāpatti—if she readmits her after getting permission from the Sangha that did the procedure; kammakārakasaṅghaṁ apaloketvā osāreti, if she readmits her with the consent of the community; gaṇassa chandaṁ jānitvā osāreti, if she readmits one who is behaving properly; vatte vattantiṁ osāreti, if she readmits her when the Sangha that did the procedure is unavailable; asante kammakārakasaṅghe osāreti, if she is insane; ummattikāya, if she is the first offender. ādikammikāyāti.

The fourth offense entailing suspension is finished. Catutthasaṅghādisesasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

English Translation

Pāli Text

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

The training rule on readmitting one who has been ejected

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the nun Caṇḍakāḷī was quarrelsome and argumentative, and she created legal issues in the Sangha. But when a legal procedure was being done against her, the nun Thullanandā objected.

Soon afterwards Thullanandā went to a village on some business. The Sangha of nuns took the opportunity to eject Caṇḍakāḷī for not recognizing an offense. When Thullanandā had finished her business in that village, she returned to Sāvatthī. On her return, Caṇḍakāḷī neither prepared a seat for her, nor set out a foot stool, a foot scraper, or water for washing the feet; and she did not go out to meet her to receive her bowl and robe, nor ask whether she wanted water to drink. Thullanandā asked her why she was acting like this. She replied, “That’s how it is, Venerable, when you don’t have a protector.”

“But how is it, Venerable, that you don’t have a protector?”

“When the nuns knew that no one would speak up for me because I am not esteemed by them and I didn’t have a protector, they ejected me for not recognizing an offense.”

“They are incompetent fools. They don’t know about legal procedures or their flaws, nor what makes them fail or succeed. But we know all these things. We can get legal procedures done that haven’t been done, and we can get procedures that have been done overturned.” And she quickly gathered a sangha of nuns and readmitted the nun Caṇḍakāḷī.

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Thullanandā readmit a nun who had been ejected by a unanimous Sangha in accordance with the Teaching, the Monastic Law, and the Teacher’s instruction, without first getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure and without the consent of the community?” … “Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked her … “How could the nun Thullanandā readmit a nun who had been ejected by a unanimous Sangha in accordance with the Teaching, the Monastic Law, and the Teacher’s instruction, without first getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure and without the consent of the community? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling

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.
A unanimous Sangha:: those belonging to the same Buddhist sect and staying within the same monastery zone.
Who has been ejected:: who has been ejected for not recognizing an offense, for not making amends, or for not giving up a bad view.
In accordance with the Teaching and the Monastic Law:: in accordance with that Teaching, in accordance with that Monastic Law.
In accordance with the Teacher’s instruction:: in accordance with the Victor’s instruction, in accordance with the Buddha’s instruction.
Without getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure:: without having asked permission of the Sangha that did the legal procedure of ejection.
Without the consent of the community:: without being aware of any consent from the community. If, intending to readmit her, she searches for a group or establishes a monastery zone, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. After the motion, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. After each of the first two announcements, she commits a serious offense. When the last announcement is finished, she commits an offense entailing suspension.
That too:: this is said with reference to the preceding offenses.
An immediate offense:: there is an offense as soon as the misconduct is committed, and no pressing is required.
Entailing sending away:: she is sent away from the Sangha.
Suspension:: … Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension.

Permutations

If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, and she readmits her, she commits an offense entailing suspension. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, and she readmits her, she commits an offense entailing suspension. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as illegitimate, and she readmits her, she commits an offense entailing suspension.

If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as legitimate, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is an illegitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if she readmits her after getting permission from the Sangha that did the procedure; if she readmits her with the consent of the community; if she readmits one who is behaving properly; if she readmits her when the Sangha that did the procedure is unavailable; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

The fourth offense entailing suspension is finished.

Theravāda Vinaya
Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
Saṅghādisesakaṇḍa

4. Ukkhittakaosāraṇasikkhāpada

Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tena kho pana samayena caṇḍakāḷī bhikkhunī bhaṇḍanakārikā hoti kalahakārikā vivādakārikā bhassakārikā saṅghe adhikaraṇakārikā. Thullanandā bhikkhunī tassā kamme karīyamāne paṭikkosati.

Tena kho pana samayena thullanandā bhikkhunī gāmakaṁ agamāsi kenacideva karaṇīyena. Atha kho bhikkhunisaṅgho—“thullanandā bhikkhunī pakkantā”ti, caṇḍakāḷiṁ bhikkhuniṁ āpattiyā adassane ukkhipi. Thullanandā bhikkhunī gāmake taṁ karaṇīyaṁ tīretvā punadeva sāvatthiṁ paccāgacchi. Caṇḍakāḷī bhikkhunī thullanandāya bhikkhuniyā āgacchantiyā neva āsanaṁ paññapesi na pādodakaṁ pādapīṭhaṁ pādakaṭhalikaṁ upanikkhipi na paccuggantvā pattacīvaraṁ paṭiggahesi na pānīyena āpucchi. Thullanandā bhikkhunī caṇḍakāḷiṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavoca—“kissa tvaṁ, ayye, mayi āgacchantiyā neva āsanaṁ paññapesi na pādodakaṁ pādapīṭhaṁ pādakaṭhalikaṁ upanikkhipi na paccuggantvā pattacīvaraṁ paṭiggahesi na pānīyena āpucchī”ti? “Evañhetaṁ, ayye, hoti yathā taṁ anāthāyā”ti.

“Kissa pana tvaṁ, ayye, anāthā”ti?

“Imā maṁ, ayye, bhikkhuniyo—‘ayaṁ anāthā appaññātā, natthi imissā kāci paṭivattā’ti, āpattiyā adassane ukkhipiṁsū”ti.

Thullanandā bhikkhunī—“bālā etā abyattā etā, neva jānanti kammaṁ vā kammadosaṁ vā kammavipattiṁ vā kammasampattiṁ vā. Mayaṁ kho jānāma kammampi kammadosampi kammavipattimpi kammasampattimpi. Mayaṁ kho akataṁ vā kammaṁ kāreyyāma kataṁ vā kammaṁ kopeyyāmā”ti, lahuṁ lahuṁ bhikkhunisaṅghaṁ sannipātetvā caṇḍakāḷiṁ bhikkhuniṁ osāresi.

Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā …pe… tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—“kathañhi nāma ayyā thullanandā samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāressatī”ti …pe… “saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāretī”ti?

“Saccaṁ, bhagavā”ti.

Vigarahi buddho bhagavā …pe… kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāressati. Netaṁ, bhikkhave, appasannānaṁ vā pasādāya …pe… evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—

“Yā pana bhikkhunī samaggena saṅghena ukkhittaṁ bhikkhuniṁ dhammena vinayena satthusāsanena anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghaṁ anaññāya gaṇassa chandaṁ osāreyya, ayampi bhikkhunī paṭhamāpattikaṁ dhammaṁ āpannā nissāraṇīyaṁ saṅghādisesan”ti.

Yā panāti: yā yādisā …pe…
bhikkhunīti: …pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippetā bhikkhunīti.
Samaggo nāma saṅgho: samānasaṁvāsako samānasīmāyaṁ ṭhito.
Ukkhittā nāma: āpattiyā adassane vā appaṭikamme vā appaṭinissagge vā ukkhittā.
Dhammena vinayenāti: yena dhammena yena vinayena.
Satthusāsanenāti: jinasāsanena buddhasāsanena.
Anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghanti: kammakārakasaṅghaṁ anāpucchā.
Anaññāya gaṇassa chandanti: gaṇassa chandaṁ ajānitvā. “Osāressāmī”ti gaṇaṁ vā pariyesati, sīmaṁ vā sammannati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Ñattiyā dukkaṭaṁ, dvīhi kammavācāhi thullaccayā, kammavācāpariyosāne āpatti saṅghādisesassa.
Ayampīti: purimāyo upādāya vuccati.
Paṭhamāpattikanti: saha vatthujjhācārā āpajjati asamanubhāsanāya.
Nissāraṇīyanti: saṅghamhā nissārīyati.
Saṅghādisesoti: …pe… tenapi vuccati saṅghādisesoti.

Dhammakamme dhammakammasaññā osāreti, āpatti saṅghādisesassa. Dhammakamme vematikā osāreti āpatti saṅghādisesassa. Dhammakamme adhammakammasaññā osāreti, āpatti saṅghādisesassa.

Adhammakamme dhammakammasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Adhammakamme vematikā, āpatti dukkaṭassa. Adhammakamme adhammakammasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa.

Anāpatti—kammakārakasaṅghaṁ apaloketvā osāreti, gaṇassa chandaṁ jānitvā osāreti, vatte vattantiṁ osāreti, asante kammakārakasaṅghe osāreti, ummattikāya, ādikammikāyāti.

Catutthasaṅghādisesasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law Theravāda Vinaya
The Nuns’ Analysis Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
The chapter on offenses entailing suspension Saṅghādisesakaṇḍa

The training rule on readmitting one who has been ejected 4. Ukkhittakaosāraṇasikkhāpada

Origin story

“But how is it, Venerable, that you don’t have a protector?” “Kissa pana tvaṁ, ayye, anāthā”ti?

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

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.
A unanimous Sangha: Samaggo nāma saṅgho: those belonging to the same Buddhist sect and staying within the same monastery zone. samānasaṁvāsako samānasīmāyaṁ ṭhito.
Who has been ejected: Ukkhittā nāma: who has been ejected for not recognizing an offense, for not making amends, or for not giving up a bad view. āpattiyā adassane vā appaṭikamme vā appaṭinissagge vā ukkhittā.
In accordance with the Teaching and the Monastic Law: Dhammena vinayenāti: in accordance with that Teaching, in accordance with that Monastic Law. yena dhammena yena vinayena.
In accordance with the Teacher’s instruction: Satthusāsanenāti: in accordance with the Victor’s instruction, in accordance with the Buddha’s instruction. jinasāsanena buddhasāsanena.
Without getting permission from the Sangha that did the legal procedure: Anapaloketvā kārakasaṅghanti: without having asked permission of the Sangha that did the legal procedure of ejection. kammakārakasaṅghaṁ anāpucchā.
Without the consent of the community: Anaññāya gaṇassa chandanti: without being aware of any consent from the community. gaṇassa chandaṁ ajānitvā. If, intending to readmit her, she searches for a group or establishes a monastery zone, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. “Osāressāmī”ti gaṇaṁ vā pariyesati, sīmaṁ vā sammannati, āpatti dukkaṭassa. After the motion, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. After each of the first two announcements, she commits a serious offense. When the last announcement is finished, she commits an offense entailing suspension. Ñattiyā dukkaṭaṁ, dvīhi kammavācāhi thullaccayā, kammavācāpariyosāne āpatti saṅghādisesassa.
That too: Ayampīti: this is said with reference to the preceding offenses. purimāyo upādāya vuccati.
An immediate offense: Paṭhamāpattikanti: there is an offense as soon as the misconduct is committed, and no pressing is required. saha vatthujjhācārā āpajjati asamanubhāsanāya.
Entailing sending away: Nissāraṇīyanti: she is sent away from the Sangha. saṅghamhā nissārīyati.
Suspension: Saṅghādisesoti: … Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension. …pe… tenapi vuccati saṅghādisesoti.

Permutations

Non-offenses

The fourth offense entailing suspension is finished. Catutthasaṅghādisesasikkhāpadaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ.