Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 108Not Ordaining Trainees After Promising
Pāli / Sanskrit:Cīvaradāna-sikkhamānana-vuṭṭhāpana
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Sutra on Not Blocking a Trainee After Promising to Give Robes
Background
This rule appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pātimokkha, the fundamental training rules. It reflects a specific situation in the early Buddhist monastic community, when teachers made commitments to female trainees (sikkhamānā) about providing robes for them, but later changed their decision or failed to fulfill the promise.
In the Theravada tradition, blocking, that is, not allowing continued training or refusing recognition, of a female trainee is not an arbitrary matter. These regulations were laid down to protect the integrity of the Sangha and preserve the dignity of those who have the aspiration to practice. The female trainee is in an intermediate position, not yet a fully ordained bhikkhunī, but already committed to following the Dharma closely.
The Buddha's monastic order regards a promise as something sacred. If a teacher promises to provide a monastic robe to a female trainee, which is a symbol of formal recognition, that promise should not be changed suddenly or for improper reasons.
Main Content
This rule states: a monk or nun must not block, refuse to recognize, or obstruct a female trainee after having promised to provide robes for her. If that monk or nun carries out the blocking without a legitimate reason, this is a violation of the Pātimokkha.
The term "Cīvaradāna" (giving robes) does not refer only to physical clothing, but also symbolizes formal recognition into the community of practice. Making a promise and then withdrawing it is an inconsistent act that harms the trust and faith of the person seeking the path.
However, this rule also has exceptions. If the female trainee seriously violates the moral rules, or has serious health or mental problems that make her unable to continue, or if circumstances have changed so that the original promise no longer applies, then the teacher still has the right to reconsider.
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