Vinaya — Regras das Monjas (Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga) — Studying worldly subjects

1Origin story
At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the nuns from the group of six were studying worldly subjects. People complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns study worldly subjects? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!”

2The nuns heard the complaints of those people, and the nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns from the group of six do this?” … “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?”

3“It’s true, sir.”

4The Buddha rebuked them … “How can the nuns from the group of six do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

5Final ruling
‘If a nun studies worldly subjects, 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.

10Worldly subjects:

11whatever is external to the Buddha’s Teaching, not connected with the goal.

12Learns:

13if she learns by the line, then for every line she commits an offense entailing confession. If she learns by the syllable, then for every syllable she commits an offense entailing confession.

14Non-offenses
There is no offense: if she learns writing; if she learns protective verses; if she learns verses for the purpose of protection; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

15The ninth training rule is finished.