Lzh Mu Bi Vb Pc 117Giving Ordination to One of Bad Character
Pāli / Sanskrit:Giving ordination to one of bad character
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Sutta on Giving Ordination to a Person of Bad Character
Background
The Vinaya Piṭaka in the Pāli Canon contains the rules of practice and governance for the Sangha. In particular, the Bhikkhunī-vibhaṅga, the analytical text for female trainees, addresses situations concerning ordination, the sacred rite by which an ordinary person becomes a member of the Sangha.
Rule 117 in the Pātimokkha, the rules of restraint, for female trainees (bhikkhunīs) treats an essential issue: giving ordination to a person of bad character, or in other words, someone whom the Sangha knows to possess traits or conduct unsuitable for the holy life.
This background reflects the Buddha’s and the Sangha’s practical understanding of human nature. Not everyone who asks can be accepted into the Sangha immediately. Certain criteria exist to protect the monastic community.
Main Content
This rule stipulates that upasampadā, ordination, is not to be given to a person whom the Sangha knows to be of bad character, or to those known to have behaved improperly in the past. If a bhikkhunī grants ordination to such a person, that act is considered an offense.
“Bad character” here does not simply mean people who have committed offenses in the past. Rather, it refers to people with tendencies, temperaments, or conditions that make it difficult for them to maintain the moral discipline of the Sangha sincerely. This includes those with aggressive dispositions, those who are not careful, or those with psychological factors that make it difficult for them to follow spiritual training.
This rule is not a harsh judgment but a protective measure. It is intended to ensure that the Sangha, the community of monastics devoted to practice, maintains purity and unity. If new members lack a firm spiritual foundation or sincere intention, they may disturb the Sangha.
Practical Meaning
This rule teaches that admission into the monastic life requires careful discernment.
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