Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 104Ordaining Married Girls Under Twelve
Pāli / Sanskrit:Ūnadvādasavassa-gihigata
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Scripture on Ordaining Married Girls Under Twelve Years of Age
Background
This rule lies in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the explanatory scripture for bhikkhunīs, within the Vinaya Piṭaka, one of the three baskets of Theravāda Buddhism. The founding context arose in the time when the Buddha Gotama was still present, when female disciples wished to go forth but faced obstacles due to family circumstances, especially girls who had been given by their parents in marriage before reaching maturity.
In ancient Indian society, early marriage was a common custom. Mothers might worry that girls who were not yet of age but already had husbands would not be permitted to go forth into the fourfold Buddhist community. Therefore, this rule was established by the Buddha and the elders of the Sangha to clarify the attitude of the community toward these exceptional cases.
Main Content
According to the original Pāli rule Ūnadvādasavassa-gihigata, married girls under twelve years of age, that is, girls who have been taken as wives and have husbands, must not be ordained as bhikkhunīs. This differs from unmarried girls, for whom the minimum age is six, according to another rule in the same collection.
The reason for this regulation is related to the legal and social ethics of that time. A girl who had a husband belonged under the authority of her husband’s family. If such a girl were allowed to go forth without the consent of, or notice to, the husband’s family, this could create legal disputes and violate marital obligations. Therefore, this rule aims to protect social harmony and avoid family conflicts.
In addition, the rule also reflects Buddhism’s concern for the spiritual and physical maturity of bhikkhunīs. Very young girls, even those who have married, do not yet have the ability to understand deeply the vows and responsibilities of monastic practice. This rule ensures that those who go forth all have a minimal level of maturity, helping to protect the credibility of the community.
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