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The Nuns’ Rules and Their Analysis

Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga

The Bhikkhunī-vibhaṅga (“the analysis of the nuns’ rules”) contains the Monastic Code for nuns, the Bhikkhunī-pātimokkha, embedded in explanatory material. The Bhikkhunī-vibhaṅga is divided into seven chapters, each dealing with a separate class of rules, grouped according to the offense incurred in breaking them, with the exception of the adhikaraṇasamathadhamma (“the principles for resolving legal issues”), which are principles to be applied rather than rules in the strict sense. Each rule together with its explanatory material forms an independent unit, a sub-chapter. These units begin with one or more origin stories, which tell the circumstances that led the Buddha to lay down a particular rule. The rule is then stated, followed by a word commentary that analyzes every significant word contained in the rule. After the word commentary follows a permutation series in which a variety of different scenarios are evaluated and offenses assigned as appropriate. At the end comes a non-offense clause, stating important exceptions to the rule, sometimes followed by individual case studies, in which the Buddha decides the offense incurred in ambiguous cases.

Expulsion

Pārājika

The rules in this category are known in Pali as pārājika. The exact meaning of the Pali word is disputed, but there is no doubt that it refers to expulsion from the monastic Sangha. There are eight such rules for the nuns, four of which are shared with the monks. Anyone who breaches any of these rules immediately loses her status as a nun. She is expelled from the Sangha and ineligible for re-ordination for the rest of her life. The pārājikas, together with the next category of rules, the saṅghādisesas, are collectively known as serious offenses, garukāpatti. These rules are the most fundamental ones for the proper living of the monastic life.

Suspension

Saṅghādisesa

The rules in this category are known in Pali as saṅghādisesa. The meaning of the word is disputed, but according to the commentary it means that the Sangha is required at the beginning (ādi) and for the rest (sesa) of the procedure. There are seventeen such rules for the nuns, seven of which are shared with the monks. Offenders must undergo a period of probation before being rehabilitated to their former status in the Sangha.

Relinquishment with Confession

NissaggiyaPācittiya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as nissaggiya pācittiya, “entailing relinquishment and confession”. There are thirty such rules for the nuns, the same number as for the monks, although only eighteen are held in common. These rules, together with the remaining rules of the Monastic Code, are classed as light offenses, lahukāpatti. For light offenses there is usually no penalty apart from confession. For the nissaggiya pācittiyas, however, any item involved in the committing of an offense must be relinquished. Once the offense has been confessed, the item is, with a few exceptions, returned to the offender.

Confession

Pācittiya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as pācittiya, “entailing confession”. There are one hundred and sixty-six such rules for the nuns, seventy of which are shared with the monks. This is the largest class of rules in the Monastic Code. These rules, together with all the other rules apart from those entailing expulsion and suspension, are classed as light offenses, lahukāpatti. For light offenses there is no penalty apart from confession.

Acknowledgment

Pāṭidesanīya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as pāṭidesanīya, “entailing acknowledgement”. There are eight such rules for the nuns. These eight rules for the nuns are equivalent to a single rule for the monks (bhikkhu-pācittiya 39). In summary, they say that a nun who asks for special food must acknowledge the offense.

Rules of Training

Sekhiya

The rules in this category are known in Pali as sekhiya, “involving training”. There are seventy-five such rules, and they are the same both for the monks and the nuns. The sekhiyas are mostly rules of etiquette. Breaking a sekhiya is only considered to be a transgression if the offender is acting out of disrespect for the rule.

The Settling of Legal Issues

Adhikaraṇasamatha

There are seven adhikaraṇasamathadhamma, “principles for the settling of legal issues”, which are the same for the nuns and the monks. These are not rules in the ordinary sense and as such fall outside of the classification into serious and light offenses. Instead, they set out the proper methods for dealing with legal issues. The detailed explanation for these is found in the Samathakkhandhaka. The legal issues to be settled through these principles fall into four categories: disputes, accusations, offenses, and proceedings. “Proceedings” includes monastic procedures such as ordination and the keeping of the observance day (uposatha).