Dhammaquelle Texts, Talks and Meditations

← VINAYA

Bi Ss 6

The second training rule on receiving food

6. Dutiyabhojanapaṭiggahaṇasikkhāpada

from: The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing suspension

The second training rule on receiving food

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time there was a beautiful nun called Sundarīnandā. When people saw her in the dining hall, they were affected by lust, and they gave her the best food. Being afraid of wrongdoing, Sundarīnandā did not receive it. The nun next to her said, “Why didn’t you receive it, Venerable?”

“Because they have lust.”

“But do you have lust?”

“No.”

“What can this man do to you, whether he has lust or not, when you’re without it? Go on, Venerable, receive it with your own hands, and eat whatever fresh or cooked food he gives you.”

The nuns of few desires complained and criticized her, “How could a nun say, ‘What can this man do to you, whether he has lust or not, when you’re without it? Go on, Venerable, receive it with your own hands, and eat whatever fresh or cooked food he gives you’?” … “Is it true, monks, that a nun said this?”

“It’s true, Sir.”

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

Final ruling

‘If a nun says, “Venerable, what can this man do to you, whether he has lust or not, if you’re without? Go on, Venerable, receive it with your own hands and then eat whatever fresh or cooked food he gives you,” then that nun too has committed an immediate offense entailing sending away and suspension.’”

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. Says: if she urges her on, saying, “Venerable, what can this man do to you, whether he has lust or not, if you’re without? Go on, Venerable, receive it with your own hands and then eat whatever fresh or cooked food he gives you,” then she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If, because of her statement, the other nun receives fresh or cooked food with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. For every mouthful, she commits a serious offense. At the end of the meal, she commits an offense entailing suspension. That too: this is said with reference to the preceding offenses. An immediate offense: there is an offense as soon as the misconduct is committed, and no pressing is required. Entailing sending away: she is sent away from the Sangha. Suspension: … Therefore, too, it is called an offense entailing suspension.

Permutations

If she urges her on to receive water or a tooth cleaner, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If, because of her statement, the other nun receives it with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

If, when only the male being has lust, she urges her on to eat fresh or cooked food received directly from a male spirit, a male ghost, a <i lang='pi' translate='no'>paṇḍaka</i>, or a male animal in human form, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If, because of her statement, the other nun receives it with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. For every mouthful, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. At the end of the meal, she commits a serious offense. If she urges her on to receive water or a tooth cleaner, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If, because of her statement, the other nun receives it with the intention of eating it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if she urges her on, knowing that he has no lust; if she urges her on, thinking that she is not receiving because of anger; if she urges her on, thinking that she is not receiving because of compassion for the family; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

The sixth offense entailing suspension is finished.

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

These texts are freely available — anyone who wishes can support the work with a gift.