Vinaya — Regras das Monjas (Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga) — Sitting down without permission

1Origin story
At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the nun Thullanandā visited families after the meal, and she sat down and lay down on the seats without asking permission of the owners. Because of Thullanandā, the people there had qualms, neither sitting nor lying down. They then complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Thullanandā visit families after the meal, and then sit down and lie down on the seats without asking the owners for permission?”

2The nuns heard the complaints of those people. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Thullanandā act in this way?” … “Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?”

3“It’s true, sir.”

4The Buddha rebuked her … “How could the nun Thullanandā act in this way? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

5Final ruling
‘If a nun visits families after the meal, and then sits down or lies down on a seat without asking permission of the owners, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

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.

10After the meal:

11when the middle of the day has passed, until sunset.

12A family:

13there are four kinds of families: the aristocratic family, the brahmin family, the merchant family, the worker family.

14Visits:

15goes there.

16Without asking permission of the owners:

17not having asked permission of a person in that family who is an owner and who has the authority to give.

18A seat:

19a place for sitting cross-legged is what is meant.

20Sits down:

21if she sits down on that seat, she commits an offense entailing confession.

22Lies down:

23if she lies down on that seat, she commits an offense entailing confession.

24Permutations
If she has not asked permission, and she does not perceive that she has, and she sits down or lies down on a seat, she commits an offense entailing confession. If she has not asked permission, but she is unsure of it, and she sits down or lies down on a seat, she commits an offense entailing confession. If she has not asked permission, but she perceives that she has, and she sits down or lies down on a seat, she commits an offense entailing confession.

25If it is not a place for sitting cross-legged, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she has asked permission, but she does not perceive that she has, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she has asked permission, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she has asked permission, and she perceives that she has, there is no offense.

26Non-offenses
There is no offense: if she sits down or lies down after asking permission; if a dedicated seat is permanently ready for her; if she is sick; if there is an emergency; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

27The sixth training rule is finished.