Tripiṭaka Bhikkhunivibhaṅga
The Nuns’ Analysis
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Tena samayena buddho bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.
At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery,
Tena kho pana samayena thullanandāya bhikkhuniyā upaṭṭhākakulaṁ thullanandaṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavoca—
a family that was supporting the nun Thullanandā said to her,
“sace mayaṁ, ayye, sakkoma, bhikkhunisaṅghassa cīvaraṁ dassāmā”ti.
“If we’re able, Venerable, we’ll give robe-cloth to the Sangha of nuns.”
Tena kho pana samayena vassaṁvuṭṭhā bhikkhuniyo cīvaraṁ bhājetukāmā sannipatiṁsu.
Just then the nuns who had completed the rainy-season residence had gathered to distribute robe-cloth.
“āgametha, ayye, atthi bhikkhunisaṅghassa cīvarapaccāsā”ti.
“Please wait, Venerables. The Sangha is expecting more cloth.”
Thullanandā bhikkhunī yena taṁ kulaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā te manusse etadavoca—
She then went to that family and said to them,
“Na mayaṁ, ayye, sakkoma bhikkhunisaṅghassa cīvaraṁ dātun”ti.
“We’re sorry, but we’re not able to give robe-cloth to the Sangha.”
Thullanandā bhikkhunī bhikkhunīnaṁ etamatthaṁ ārocesi.
Thullanandā told the nuns what had happened.
Yā tā bhikkhuniyo appicchā …pe… tā ujjhāyanti khiyyanti vipācenti—
The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her,
“kathañhi nāma ayyā thullanandā dubbalacīvarapaccāsāya cīvarakālasamayaṁ atikkāmessatī”ti …pe…
“How could Venerable Thullanandā allow the robe season to expire because of an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth?” …
“saccaṁ kira, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī dubbalacīvarapaccāsāya cīvarakālasamayaṁ atikkāmetī”ti?
“Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?”
kathañhi nāma, bhikkhave, thullanandā bhikkhunī dubbalacīvarapaccāsāya cīvarakālasamayaṁ atikkāmessati.
“How could the nun Thullanandā do this?
evañca pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuniyo imaṁ sikkhāpadaṁ uddisantu—
“And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:
“Yā pana bhikkhunī dubbalacīvarapaccāsāya cīvarakālasamayaṁ atikkāmeyya, pācittiyan”ti.
‘If a nun lets the robe season expire because of an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”
…pe… ayaṁ imasmiṁ atthe adhippetā 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.
“sace mayaṁ sakkoma, dassāma karissāmā”ti vācā bhinnā hoti.
they have said, “If we’re able, then we’ll give, then we’ll act.”
anatthate kathine vassānassa pacchimo māso, atthate kathine pañca māsā.
for one who has not participated in the robe-making ceremony, it is the last month of the rainy season; for one who has participated in the robe-making ceremony, it is the five month period.
anatthate kathine vassānassa pacchimaṁ divasaṁ atikkāmeti, āpatti pācittiyassa.
for one who has not participated in the robe-making ceremony, if she goes beyond the last day of the rainy season, she commits an offense entailing confession.
Atthate kathine kathinuddhāradivasaṁ atikkāmeti, āpatti pācittiyassa.
For one who has participated in the robe-making ceremony, if she goes beyond the day on which the robe season ends, she commits an offense entailing confession.
Dubbalacīvare dubbalacīvarasaññā cīvarakālasamayaṁ atikkāmeti, āpatti pācittiyassa.
If it is an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, and she perceives it as such, and she lets the robe season expire, she commits an offense entailing confession.
Dubbalacīvare vematikā cīvarakālasamayaṁ atikkāmeti, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
If it is an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she is unsure of it, and she lets the robe season expire, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Dubbalacīvare adubbalacīvarasaññā cīvarakālasamayaṁ atikkāmeti, anāpatti.
If it is an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she does not perceive it as such, and she lets the robe season expire, there is no offense.
Adubbalacīvare dubbalacīvarasaññā, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
If it is not an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she perceives it as such, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Adubbalacīvare vematikā, āpatti dukkaṭassa.
If it is not an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.
Adubbalacīvare adubbalacīvarasaññā, anāpatti.
If it is not an uncertain expectation of robe-cloth, and she does not perceive it as such, there is no offense.