Vinaya — Regras das Monjas (Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga) — Encouraging inappropriate socializing

1Origin story
At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the nun Thullanandā had been pressed by the Sangha. She then said to the nuns, “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters.’”

2The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Thullanandā, after being pressed by the Sangha, say this to the nuns?” … “Is it true, monks, that after being pressed by the Sangha, the nun Thullanandā said this to the nuns?”

3“It’s true, sir.”

4The Buddha rebuked her … “How could the nun Thullanandā, after being pressed by the Sangha, say this to the nuns? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

5Final ruling
‘If a nun says, “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters,’” then the nuns should correct her like this: “Venerable, don’t say such things: ‘Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, “Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters.”’” If that nun continues as before, the nuns should press her up to three times to make her stop. If she then stops, all is well. If she does not stop, then after the third announcement that nun too has committed an offense entailing sending away and suspension.’”

6Definitions
A:

7whoever …

8Nun:

9… 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.

10Says:

11“Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them.”

12It’s because of disrespect that the Sangha … to you:

13because of despising.

14Because of contempt:

15because of contemptuousness.

16Because of impatience:

17because of irritation.

18Because of slander:

19because of slandering.

20Because … weak:

21because of lack of supporters.

22Says:

23“Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters.”

24Her:

25that nun who speaks thus.

26The nuns:

27other nuns who see it or hear about it. They should correct her like this:

28“Venerable, don’t say such things: ‘Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha … “… Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters.”’”

29And they should correct her a second and a third time. If she stops, all is well. If she does not stop, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If those who hear about it do not say anything, they commit an offense of wrong conduct.

30That nun, even if she has to be pulled into the Sangha, should be corrected like this:

31“Venerable, don’t say such things: ‘Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha … “… Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters.”’”

32They should correct her a second and a third time. If she stops, all is well. If she does not stop, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

33Should press her:

34“And, monks, she should be pressed like this. A competent and capable nun should inform the Sangha:

35‘Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The nun so-and-so, after being pressed by the Sangha, says this to the nuns, “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters.’” And she keeps on saying it. If the Sangha is ready, it should press the nun so-and-so to make her stop. This is the motion.

36Please, venerables, I ask the Sangha to listen. The nun so-and-so, after being pressed by the Sangha, says this to the nuns, “Venerables, you should socialize. Don’t live separately. There are other nuns in the Sangha who have such behavior, reputation, and notoriety, and who harass the Sangha of nuns and hide each other’s offenses. The Sangha says nothing to them. It’s because of disrespect, contempt, impatience, and slander, and because you are weak that the Sangha says to you, ‘Sisters, you socialize, behave badly, have a bad reputation, are notorious, harass the Sangha of nuns, and hide each other’s offenses. Be secluded, venerables. The Sangha praises seclusion for the sisters.’” And she keeps on saying it. The Sangha presses the nun so-and-so to make her stop. Any nun who approves of pressing the nun so-and-so to make her stop should remain silent. Any nun who doesn’t approve should speak up.

37For the second time, I speak on this matter. … For the third time, I speak on this matter. …

38The Sangha has pressed the nun so-and-so to make her stop. The Sangha approves and is therefore silent. I will remember it thus.’”

39After 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. For one who commits the offense entailing suspension, the offense of wrong conduct and the serious offenses are annulled.

40That too:

41this is said with reference to the preceding offenses.

42After the third announcement:

43there is an offense when she has been pressed for the third time, not as soon as the misconduct has been committed.

44Entailing sending away:

45she is sent away from the Sangha.

46Suspension:

47only the Sangha gives the trial period for that offense, sends back to the beginning, and rehabilitates—not several nuns, not an individual nun. Therefore it is called an offense entailing suspension. This is the name and designation of this class of offense. Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension.

48Permutations
If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, and she does not stop, she commits an offense entailing suspension. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, and she does not stop, she commits an offense entailing suspension. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as illegitimate, and she does not stop, she commits an offense entailing suspension.

49If 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.

50Non-offenses
There is no offense: if she has not been pressed; if she stops; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

51The thirteenth offense entailing suspension is finished.

52“Venerables, the seventeen rules on suspension have been recited, nine being immediate offenses, eight after the third announcement. If a nun commits any one of them, she must undertake the trial period for a half-month toward both Sanghas. When this is completed, she is to be rehabilitated wherever there is a sangha of at least twenty nuns. If that nun is rehabilitated by a sangha of nuns of even one less than twenty, that nun is not rehabilitated and those nuns are blameworthy. This is the proper procedure.

53In regard to this I ask you, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A second time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ A third time I ask, ‘Are you pure in this?’ You are pure in this and therefore silent. I will remember it thus.”

54The group of seventeen is finished.

55The chapter on offenses entailing suspension in the Nuns’ Analysis is finished.