Lzh Dg Bi Pm Pc 122Ordaining Untrained Unmarried Girls

An Explanation of the Rule on Untrained Unmarried Girls (Paripuṇṇavīsativassa-asikkhita-kumāribhūta)

Background

This rule belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition of the Buddha Dharma, where detailed regulations concerning the path of practice for the community of monks and nuns are recorded. The Vinaya Piṭaka was compiled after the Buddha entered Nirvana, based on his instructions and decisions during his lifetime, in order to protect the purpose of practice and maintain discipline in the Sangha community.

This rule specifically addresses the issue of ordaining young women who have not been trained in virtue. In the early Buddhist context, ordination was not a simple decision but had to follow strict standards to ensure that those who went forth had sufficient strength of mind, understanding, and necessary spiritual preparation.

Main Content

According to the Pāli Canon tradition, this rule states that one should not ordain girls who are underage, usually under twenty years old, untrained in the basic precepts (asikkhita), and without experience in communal life. The phrase “kumāribhūta” refers to those who are still young and lack the skills for independent living.

This regulation arises from practical reasons: a newly ordained nun needs time to adapt to monastic status, deeply understand the Four Noble Truths, master the five precepts (pañcasīla), and learn the more complex communal rules of the bhikkhunī-pātimokkha. If one proceeds hastily without preparation, negative consequences will follow: violations of the precepts, loss of faith, or falling into spiritually dangerous circumstances.

The rule stipulates that before formal ordination, young girls should pass through the sāmaṇerī stage, as novices, where they study and train under the guidance of experienced nuns, thereby verifying their genuine aspiration for the path and their ability to observe the precepts.