Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 111Not Ordaining Trainees After She Follows

Explanation of the Sutra on Not Ordaining a Trainee Who Follows a Bhikkhunī

Background

This sutra is found in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga, the section of the Vinaya concerning bhikkhunīs. These are detailed regulations for the discipline of ordained female Buddhists, established by the Buddha to protect the community of monks and nuns and to maintain the purity of the Dharma.

This body of law reflects specific situations that arose in the early community of monks and nuns. When the community of bhikkhunīs was established, later than the male Sangha, issues concerning the management and training of female trainees (sikkhamānā) became urgent. The Pātimokkha rules and additional training rules (sikkhāpada) were built on the principles of protecting the mind of practice, maintaining order, and nourishing right mindfulness (sammā-sati).

The sutra "Anubandha-sikkhamānana-vuṭṭhāpana" specifically deals with the issue of training female pupils (sikkhamānā) in the context of relationships between bhikkhunīs and newly ordained nuns or those under training. "Anubandha" (following, accompanying) refers to connections; "sikkhamānana" refers to those undergoing training before receiving full ordination.

Main Content

This rule is based on the principle that when a bhikkhunī follows another person or follows the same course of action, the leader or instructor should not train new female pupils at that stage. The phrase "Not Ordaining Trainees" means that a sikkhamānā should not be formally accepted or recognized as an official pupil of that bhikkhunī during that time.

The reason behind this rule is self-restraint. If a bhikkhunī is following another person, the work of teaching new trainees will create conflicts of time, mental energy, and the concentration necessary for proper maintenance of discipline. In addition, the instructor must be a model of moral conduct in order to teach.