Lzh Mg Bu Vb Ay 2Second Undetermined Offence
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyaaniyata
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Second Undetermined Offence (Dutiyaaniyata)
Background
Dutiyaaniyata, or "Second Undetermined Offence," belongs to the Aniyata (undetermined) section of the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga—the training chapter for female monastics in the Pāli Vinaya. The Aniyata rules are distinctive, differing from ordinary offences, in that they are called "undetermined" (aniyata) because the penalty depends on the specific circumstances and the intention of the one who transgresses.
The Aniyata offences appear in the Vinaya out of the Buddha's recognition that not every moral situation can be regulated in a rigid manner. Instead, it is necessary to consider the whole of the circumstances, the inner motivation (cetanā), and the consequences of the action. This is a distinguishing characteristic of the Pāli Vinaya: flexibility grounded in wisdom, rather than mechanical inflexibility.
Main Content
Dutiyaaniyata concerns a conduct of a bhikkhunī that may or may not constitute a transgression, depending on the conditions and the verification thereof. According to the Pāli tradition, "undetermined" offences typically involve a bhikkhunī being alone with a bhikkhu or with a layman in situations that could be construed as suspect or as undermining trust within the community.
The structure of an Aniyata offence generally includes: (1) a specific incident observed by others, (2) an inquiry or "determination" (niyata) into the true nature of the action—whether it is in fact a transgression or merely a matter of suspicion, and (3) the appropriate penalty if the transgression is confirmed.
Dutiyaaniyata, being the second offence in the list, is typically examined in light of the principle that a bhikkhunī must preserve an unblemished image. This concerns not only actual conduct but also the avoidance of circumstances that give rise to doubt or that damage the honour of the Saṅgha.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.