Gabbhinīvaggasikkhābada

Vinayapiṭaka · Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga · Vol. 3 · Section 368

[368] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park. Now at that time bhikkhunīs ordained (vuṭṭhāpenti) a woman who was breastfeeding. She walked for alms. People said thus: "Give almsfood to the lady — the lady has a second one with her." People criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhunīs ordain a woman who is breastfeeding?" The bhikkhunīs heard those people criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhunīs who were of few wishes … they criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can bhikkhunīs ordain a woman who is breastfeeding?" … "Is it true, bhikkhus, as they say, that bhikkhunīs ordain a woman who is breastfeeding?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "Bhikkhus, how can bhikkhunīs ordain a woman who is breastfeeding? This, bhikkhus, is not for the arousing of confidence in those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, let the bhikkhunīs recite this training rule (sikkhāpada): "Should any bhikkhunī ordain a woman who is breastfeeding, there is an offense of pācittiya."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.

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