Lzh Sarv Bi Pm Pc 109Ordaining Trained Married Girls Without Approval
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paripuṇṇadvādasavassa-sikkhita-gihigata-asammata
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Explanation of the Sutta: Ordaining a Married Woman Without Approval
Background
This rule is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, and reflects practical issues that arose in the earliest Buddhist practicing community. In the time of the Buddha Gotama, going forth was not merely an individual act, but had to follow strict conditions in order to protect the integrity of the community and social morality.
This rule concerns the case of a married woman who has been trained in the Buddha’s teaching (paripuṇṇa, complete; dvādasavassa-sikkhita, trained for twelve years) and wishes to go forth without the approval of her husband or family (asammata, not approved). This is a personal, social-legal, and ethical issue in the context of ancient India, where marriage was a binding contract between families.
Main Content
According to the regulation in the Vinaya Piṭaka, a married woman is not permitted to go forth as a bhikkhunī without her husband’s approval. Even if that woman has been fully trained in the Buddhadharma and has a strong desire for practice, the absence of approval from her husband, who was her legal guardian in the society of that time, is regarded as a Pātimokkha violation.
This rule is not opposition to the world, but a minimal respect for existing legal relationships. It reflects a principle of Theravāda Buddhism: not to needlessly disturb social harmony, but instead to seek harmony (samavattī, balanced conduct) between the Buddha’s teaching and reasonable social norms. Married women are advised to obtain approval before going forth, because sudden renunciation may cause legal disputes and harm the honor of the family.
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