Vinaya — Regras das Monjas (Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga) — Blocking robe-cloth distribution

1Origin story
At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time out-of-season robe-cloth had been given to the Sangha of nuns, and the Sangha gathered to share it out. Just then the nuns who were pupils of the nun Thullanandā were away. Thullanandā said to the nuns: “Venerables, there are nuns who are away. We cannot distribute the robe-cloth until they get back.” And she blocked the distribution of robe-cloth. Since the robe-cloth could not be distributed until those nuns returned, other nuns left. Then, when her pupils returned, Thullanandā had that robe-cloth distributed.

2The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could Venerable Thullanandā block a legitimate distribution of robe-cloth?” … “Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?”

3“It’s true, sir.”

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

5Final ruling
‘If a nun blocks a legitimate distribution of robe-cloth, 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.

10A legitimate distribution of robe-cloth:

11it is distributed by a unanimous Sangha of nuns.

12Blocks:

13if she blocks it with the thought, “What can be done so that this robe-cloth isn’t distributed?”, she commits an offense entailing confession.

14Permutations
If it is a legitimate legal procedure, and she perceives it as such, and she blocks it, she commits an offense entailing confession. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she is unsure of it, and she blocks it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is a legitimate legal procedure, but she perceives it as illegitimate, and she blocks it, there is no offense.

15If 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, there is no offense.

16Non-offenses
There is no offense: if she blocks it after demonstrating a benefit; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

17The seventh training rule is finished.