English
Now at that time, the bhikkhunīs, inviting together with the bhikkhus, made a commotion. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, a bhikkhunī should not invite together with the bhikkhus. Whoever does so, incurs an offense of wrong-doing." Now at that time, the bhikkhunīs, inviting before the meal, passed the time. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, monks, to invite after the meal." Inviting after the meal, they were at an improper time. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "I allow, monks, for the bhikkhunī Saṅgha today..." having invited (the bhikkhus) today, the next day they should invite the Bhikkhu Saṅgha.” Now at that time, the entire Bhikkhunī Saṅgha made a commotion when inviting. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. “I allow, monks, to appoint one bhikkhunī who is clever and capable to invite the Bhikkhu Saṅgha on behalf of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. And thus, monks, she should be appointed. First, the bhikkhunī should be asked, and having asked, the Saṅgha should be informed by a clever and capable bhikkhunī – “May the Saṅgha, ladies, listen to me. If it is agreeable to the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should appoint such-and-such a bhikkhunī to invite the Bhikkhu Saṅgha on behalf of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. This is the motion. “May the Saṅgha, ladies, listen to me. The Saṅgha appoints such-and-such a bhikkhunī to invite the Bhikkhu Saṅgha on behalf of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. To whichever lady it is agreeable that such-and-such a bhikkhunī be appointed to invite the Bhikkhu Saṅgha on behalf of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, she should remain silent; to whichever it is not agreeable, she should speak. “Such-and-such a bhikkhunī has been appointed by the Saṅgha to invite the Bhikkhu Saṅgha on behalf of the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha, therefore it is silent, thus I hold this. “That appointed bhikkhunī, taking the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, should approach the Bhikkhu Saṅgha, arrange her upper robe over one shoulder, bow to the feet of the bhikkhus, sit on her haunches, raise her joined hands, and should say this: ‘The Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, venerable sirs, invites the Bhikkhu Saṅgha – for what has been seen, or heard, or suspected. May the Bhikkhu Saṅgha, venerable sirs, speak to the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha out of compassion; seeing it, we will rectify it. A second time, venerable sirs… …A third time, venerable sirs, the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha invites the Bhikkhu Saṅgha – for what has been seen, or heard, or suspected. May the Bhikkhu Saṅgha, venerable sirs, speak to the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha out of compassion; seeing it, we will rectify it. will transgress.” 428. Now at that time, the bhikkhunis appointed the Uposatha for the bhikkhus, appointed the Pavāraṇā, made a declaration, initiated an admonition, asked for permission, reproved, and reminded. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. “Bhikkhus, a bhikkhuni should not appoint the Uposatha for a bhikkhu; even if appointed, it is not appointed; she who appoints incurs an offense of dukkata. The Pavāraṇā should not be appointed; even if appointed, it is not appointed; she who appoints incurs an offense of dukkata. A declaration should not be made; even if made, it is not made; she who makes incurs an offense of dukkata. An admonition should not be initiated; even if initiated, it is not initiated; she who initiates incurs an offense of dukkata. Permission should not be asked for; even if asked for, it is not asked for; she who asks for incurs an offense of dukkata. One should not be reproved; even if reproved, one is not reproved; she who reproves incurs an offense of dukkata. One should not be reminded; even if reminded, one is not reminded; she who reminds incurs an offense of dukkata.” Now at that time, the bhikkhus appointed the Uposatha for the bhikkhunis, appointed the Pavāraṇā, made a declaration, initiated an admonition, asked for permission, reproved, and reminded. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. “I allow, bhikkhus, a bhikkhu to appoint the Uposatha for a bhikkhuni; even if appointed, it is well appointed; he who appoints incurs no offense. To appoint the Pavāraṇā; even if appointed, it is well appointed; he who appoints incurs no offense. To make a declaration; even if made, it is well made; he who makes incurs no offense. To initiate an admonition; even if initiated, it is well initiated; he who initiates incurs no offense. To ask for permission; even if asked for, it is well asked for; he who asks for incurs no offense. To reprove; even if reproved, it is well reproved; he who reproves incurs no offense. To remind; even if reminded, it is well reminded; he who reminds incurs no offense.” 429. Now at that time, the group-of-six bhikkhunis traveled in a vehicle— with women in a vehicle with men, and with men in a vehicle with women. People complained, grumbled, and criticized… “S as if on the great Ganges. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, a nun should not travel by vehicle. If she does, she should be dealt with according to the Dhamma." Now at that time, a certain nun was sick, and she could not go on foot. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, I allow a vehicle for a sick person." Then it occurred to the nuns: "Should it be drawn by women, or by men?" They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, I allow one drawn by women, one drawn by men, or a hand-cart." Now at that time, a certain nun became very unwell due to the jolting of a vehicle. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, I allow a palanquin or a litter." 430. Now at that time, Addhakasi, a courtesan, had gone forth among the nuns. And she wished to go to Savatthi, thinking, 'I will receive ordination in the presence of the Blessed One.' The rogues heard: 'Addhakasi, the courtesan, is going to Savatthi.' They waylaid her on the road. Addhakasi, the courtesan, heard: 'The rogues have waylaid her on the road.' She sent a messenger to the Blessed One, saying: "I wish to receive ordination; how should I proceed?" Then the Blessed One, on account of this cause, on account of this matter, gave a Dhamma talk and addressed the monks: "Monks, I allow ordination by messenger." They gave ordination by a monk messenger. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Monks, she should not be ordained by a monk messenger. Whoever ordains her, there is an offense of wrong-doing." They gave ordination by a probationer messenger... by a novice monk messenger... by a novice nun messenger... by a foolish, ignorant messenger. "Monks, she should not be ordained by a foolish, ignorant messenger. Whoever ordains her, there is an offense of wrong-doing." I allow, monks, for a competent nun, who is capable, to give ordination as a messenger. That nun, the messenger, having approached the Saṅgha, having arranged her upper robe over one shoulder, having bowed at the feet of the monks, having squatted, having raised her hands in añjali, should speak thus: ‘Venerables, So-and-so is a candidate for ordination from Venerable So-and-so. She is ordained in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, and is pure. She does not come due to some obstacle. Venerables, So-and-so asks the Saṅgha for ordination. May the Saṅgha, Venerables, lift her up out of compassion. Venerables, So-and-so is a candidate for ordination from Venerable So-and-so. She is ordained in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, and is pure. She does not come due to some obstacle. A second time, Venerables, So-and-so asks the Saṅgha for ordination. May the Saṅgha, Venerables, lift her up out of compassion. Venerables, So-and-so is a candidate for ordination from Venerable So-and-so. She is ordained in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, and is pure. She does not come due to some obstacle. A third time, Venerables, So-and-so asks the Saṅgha for ordination. May the Saṅgha, Venerables, lift her up out of compassion.’ A competent and capable monk should inform the Saṅgha: ‘May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. So-and-so is a candidate for ordination from So-and-so. She is ordained in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, and is pure. She does not come due to some obstacle. So-and-so asks the Saṅgha for ordination with So-and-so as her preceptor. If it is fitting for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should ordain So-and-so with So-and-so as her preceptor. This is the motion. May the Saṅgha, venerable sirs, hear me. So-and-so is a candidate for ordination from So-and-so. She is ordained in the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, and is pure. She does not come due to some obstacle. So-and-so asks the Saṅgha for ordination with So-and-so as her preceptor. The Saṅgha ordains So-and-so with So-and-so as her preceptor. by the preceptor of such-and-such a name. If the ordination of such-and-such a name, by the preceptor of such-and-such a name, is agreeable to any venerable one, let him be silent; if it is not agreeable, let him speak. “A second time I declare this matter… (and so forth) …A third time I declare this matter. May the Sangha hear me, venerable sirs. Such-and-such a name seeks ordination by such-and-such a preceptor. She has been ordained in the assembly of bhikkhunis, and is pure. She does not come due to some impediment. Such-and-such a name requests ordination from the Sangha by such-and-such a preceptor. The Sangha ordains such-and-such a name by such-and-such a preceptor. If the ordination of such-and-such a name, by the preceptor of such-and-such a name, is agreeable to any venerable one, let him be silent; if it is not agreeable, let him speak. “Such-and-such a name has been ordained by the Sangha by such-and-such a preceptor. The Sangha agrees, therefore it is silent, thus I hold this. “At that very moment, the shadow should be measured, the season should be announced, the part of the day should be announced, the recitation should be announced, the bhikkhunis should be told – you should declare to her the three dependencies and the eight unallowable things.” 431.