Lzh Mi Bi Vb Pc 194Giving Precepts to Sikkhamānā Alone
Pāli / Sanskrit:Giving precepts to sikkhamānā alone
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Explanation: Giving Precepts to a Sikkhamānā Alone
Background
In the Theravāda Vinaya tradition, the issue of giving precepts and managing discipline for women in training is a major subject, reflecting the strictness of the management of the community of practitioners. A sikkhamānā, provisionally translated as “female trainee,” is a woman in the process of preparation before formally going forth and receiving the full discipline of a bhikkhunī. To become a sikkhamānā, a woman must observe a basic code of six or ten training rules, depending on the historical context and regional tradition.
This sutta deals with a specific legal situation: the case in which only one female trainee (sikkhamānā) receives precepts from a bhikkhu or bhikkhunī teacher. The legal question arises as to whether this is valid, including the required number of witnesses, the formal procedure, and the validity of the rite of giving precepts. This is part of the detailed rules concerning the form and conditions for recognizing a person’s entry into the life of practice.
Main Content
According to the principle of the Vinaya Piṭaka, giving precepts is not a spontaneous or arbitrary activity. Each step must follow the procedure prescribed by the Buddha, in order to ensure the sacredness of the precepts and the sincerity of the recipient’s intention. When a sikkhamānā is given precepts, there must be confirmation from the community, especially from those permitted to conduct the ceremony.
The issue of “alone” in this sutta concerns whether precepts can be given to a female trainee when there is only one teacher or only a few witnesses. Theravāda law emphasizes that important rites must be performed with the participation of worthy members of the Sangha, the community of practitioners. This is not merely a matter of form, but also concerns spiritual support and the official recognition of the community.
This sutta may record that in urgent or special cases there may be exceptions, but these exceptions must also be clearly defined according to the Buddha’s teaching.
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