Vinaya — Regras das Monjas (Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga) — Intimate washing

1Origin story
At one time when the Buddha was staying in the Sakyan country in the Banyan Tree Monastery at Kapilavatthu, Mahāpajāpati Gotamī went to him and bowed. Standing downwind from him, she said, “Sir, women smell.”

2“Well then, the nuns should clean themselves with water.” And the Buddha instructed, inspired, and gladdened her with a teaching, after which she bowed down, circumambulated him with her right side toward him, and left. Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

3“Monks, I allow the nuns to clean themselves with water.”

4Being aware that the Buddha had allowed cleaning with water, a nun did it too deeply, causing a sore in her vagina.

5She told the nuns what had happened. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could a nun clean herself too deeply with water?” … “Is it true, monks, that a nun did this?”

6“It’s true, sir.”

7The Buddha rebuked her, “How could a nun clean herself too deeply with water? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

8Final ruling
‘If a nun is cleaning herself with water, she may insert two finger joints at the most. If she goes further than that, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

9Definitions
Is cleaning herself with water:

10rinsing the vagina is what is meant.

11Cleaning:

12rinses.

13She may insert two finger joints at the most:

14she may insert two joints of two fingers at the most.

15If she goes further than that:

16if she consents to the contact and goes further even by a hair’s breadth, she commits an offense entailing confession.

17Permutations
If it is more than two finger joints, and she perceives it as more, and she inserts them, she commits an offense entailing confession. If it is more than two finger joints, but she is unsure of it, and she inserts them, she commits an offense entailing confession. If it is more than two finger joints, but she perceives it as less, and she inserts them, she commits an offense entailing confession.

18If it is less than two finger joints, but she perceives it as more, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is less than two finger joints, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is less than two finger joints, and she perceives it as less, there is no offense.

19Non-offenses
There is no offense: if she inserts two finger joints; if she inserts less than two finger joints; if she does it because she is sick; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

20The fifth training rule is finished.