Lzh Mu Bu Vb Pc 23Teaching Nuns for Profit

Āmisa Sutta: Teaching Bhikkhunīs for Material Gain

Background

The Āmisa Sutta in the Vinaya Piṭaka is a rule concerning the ethics and spirit of practice of monks and nuns. The term “āmisa” in Pāli means “material gain” or “tangible benefit,” often contrasted with “dhamma,” the Dharma or spiritual teaching. This sutta records a situation in the early community of monks and nuns when the Buddha discovered conduct that violated a basic principle of renunciant life.

The recorded background shows that some bhikkhunīs exploited their position to teach other women, but their motive was not to support reliance on the Dharma; it was to obtain requisites, money, or other gains. This is a serious violation of the spirit of practice, because it turns the Dharma into a tool for accumulating personal property.

Main Content

In this rule, the Buddha set forth a clear principle: bhikkhunīs must not teach others, especially bhikkhunīs or other women, for the purpose of obtaining “āmisa,” that is, material gain. If a bhikkhunī teaches with such a purpose, this is a “pācittiya,” a definite level of offense within the Vinaya system.

This rule does not mean that teaching is forbidden; the transmission of the Dharma is always encouraged. However, it emphasizes that the purpose of teaching must be pure. If a bhikkhunī teaches bhikkhunīs or other women while harboring the wish to receive gifts, money, robes, food, or any material benefit, she has violated a basic principle: not letting greed become the basis of one’s actions.

The Vinaya Piṭaka records in detail how this violation is handled, which may include establishing the offense, the method of confession, and the consequences the offender must bear. This shows the strictness of the Buddha and the Sangha toward actions that exploit the Dharma.

Practical Meaning

The Āmisa Sutta carries a profound message for modern practitioners.