Vinaya — Regras dos Monges (Bhikkhu Vibhaṅga) — Instructing nuns in a nunnery

1First substory
At one time when the Buddha was staying in the Sakyan country in the Banyan Tree Monastery at Kapilavatthu, the monks from the group of six went to the nunnery and instructed the nuns from the group of six.

2Soon afterwards, other nuns said to the nuns from the group of six, “Come, venerables, let’s go to the instruction.”

3“There’s no need. The monks from the group of six came and instructed us right here.”

4The nuns complained and criticized the monks from the group of six, “How could the monks from the group of six go to the nunnery and instruct the nuns?” Then those nuns told the monks.

5The monks of few desires complained and criticized those monks, “How could those monks do this?”… “Is it true, monks, that you did this?”

6“It’s true, sir.”

7The Buddha rebuked them … “Foolish men, how could you do this? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

8Preliminary ruling
‘If a monk goes to a nunnery and instructs the nuns, he commits an offense entailing confession.’”

9In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the monks.

10Second substory
Soon afterwards Mahāpajāpati Gotamī became sick. The senior monks went to see her and said, “We hope you’re bearing up, Gotamī, we hope you’re getting better?”

11“I’m not bearing up, venerables, and I’m not getting better. Please give me a teaching.”

12“It’s not allowable for us to go a nunnery and teach the nuns.” And being afraid of wrongdoing, they did not teach her.

13Soon afterwards, after robing up in the morning, the Buddha took his bowl and robe and went to Mahāpajāpati Gotamī where he sat down on the prepared seat. He said to her, “I hope you’re bearing up, Gotamī, I hope you’re getting better?”

14“Previously, sir, the senior monks would come and teach me, and because of that I would be comfortable. But now that this has been prohibited by the Buddha, they don’t teach because they’re afraid of wrongdoing. Because of that I’m not comfortable.”

15After instructing, inspiring, and gladdening her with a teaching, the Buddha got up from his seat and left. Soon afterwards the Buddha gave a teaching and addressed the monks:

16“Monks, I allow you to go a nunnery and instruct a sick nun.

17And so, monks, this training rule should be recited like this:

18Final ruling
‘If a monk goes to a nunnery and instructs the nuns, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. This is the appropriate occasion: a nun is sick.’”

19Definitions
A:

20whoever …

21Monk:

22… The monk who has been given the full ordination by a unanimous Sangha through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of monk is meant in this case.

23A nunnery:

24wherever nuns stay, even for a single night.

25Goes to:

26goes there.

27The nuns:

28they have been given the full ordination by both Sanghas.

29Instructs:

30if he instructs about the eight important principles, he commits an offense entailing confession.

31Except on an appropriate occasion:

32unless it is an appropriate occasion.

33A sick nun:

34she is not able to go to the instruction or to a formal meeting of the community.

35Permutations
If she is fully ordained, and he perceives her as such, and he goes to the nunnery and instructs her, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. If she is fully ordained, but he is unsure of it, and he goes to the nunnery and instructs her, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession. If she is fully ordained, but he does not perceive her as such, and he goes to the nunnery and instructs her, except on an appropriate occasion, he commits an offense entailing confession.

36If he instructs her with another teaching, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If he instructs a nun who is fully ordained only on one side, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is not fully ordained, but he perceives her as such, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is not fully ordained, but he is unsure of it, he commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is not fully ordained, and he does not perceive her as such, there is no offense.

37Non-offenses
There is no offense: if it is an appropriate occasion; if he recites; if he tests them; if he recites when asked to do so; if he asks a question; if he replies when asked a question; if he is speaking for the benefit of someone else and the nuns listen in; if it is to a trainee nun; if it is to a novice nun; if he is insane; if he is the first offender.

38The training rule on instructing nuns in a nunnery, the third, is finished.