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Bi NP 10

The training rule on exchanging what belongs to an individual

10. Puggalikacetāpanasikkhāpada

from: The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on relinquishment The subchapter on almsbowls

The training rule on exchanging what belongs to an individual

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the nun Thullanandā was a learned reciter, and she was confident and skilled at giving teachings. Many people visited her. Just then the yard of Thullanandā’s dwelling was deteriorating. People asked her why, and she replied, “I have neither donor, nor worker.” Then, after collecting voluntary contributions for the yard of Thullanandā’s dwelling, the people gave the collected requisites to Thullanandā. But even though she had asked for them, Thullanandā exchanged those requisites for tonics, which she then used.

When the people found out about this, they complained and criticized her, “When personal requisites are designated for a specific purpose and were asked for, how could the nun Thullanandā exchange them for something else?” … “Is it true, monks, that the nun Thullanandā did this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

The Buddha rebuked her … “When personal requisites are designated for a specific purpose and were asked for, how could the nun Thullanandā exchange them for something else? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling

‘When a personal requisite is designated for a specific purpose and was asked for, if a nun exchanges it for something else, she commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Nun : 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. A requisite is designated for a specific purpose: it was given for a specific purpose. Personal: belonging to an individual nun, not to the Sangha, not to a group. Was asked for: that she herself had asked for. Exchanges it for something else: if, apart from the purpose for which it was given, she exchanges it for something else, then for the effort there is an act of wrong conduct. When she gets it, it becomes subject to relinquishment.

It should be relinquished to a sangha, a group, or an individual nun. “And, monks, it’s to be relinquished like this. (To be expanded as in <a href='https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-bi-vb-np1/en/brahmali#2.1.21'>Bi Np 1:2.1.21</a>–Bi Np 1:2.1.43, with appropriate substitutions.)

‘Venerables, this thing, which I got in exchange for a personal requisite that was designated for a specific purpose and had been asked for, is to be relinquished. I relinquish it to the Sangha.’ … the Sangha should give … you should give … ‘I give this back to you.’”

Permutations

If it is for a specific purpose and she perceives that it is, and she exchanges it for something else, she commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession. If it is for a specific purpose, but she is unsure of it, and she exchanges it for something else, she commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession. If it is for a specific purpose, but she does not perceive that it is, and she exchanges it for something else, she commits an offense entailing relinquishment and confession. When she receives in return what had been relinquished, it is to be used in accordance with the intention of the donors.

If it is not for a specific purpose, but she perceives that it is, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is not for a specific purpose, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If it is not for a specific purpose, and she does not perceive that it is, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if she uses the remainder; if she uses it after getting permission from the owners; if there is an emergency; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

The tenth training rule is finished.

Translation: English (Bhikkhu Brahmali). Source: SuttaCentral / Bilara (public domain, CC0).

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