Lzh Sarv Bi Vb Pc 121Ordaining Untrained Candidate
Pāli / Sanskrit:Asikkhita-sikkhamānā
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
The Discourse on Conferring Full Ordination upon an Untrained Female Probationer
Background
This discourse is found within the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Bhikkhuṇī Vibhaṅga (the Analysis of the Rules for Nuns), one of the most foundational sections of the Buddha's Vinaya. During the time when Śākyamuni Buddha was still present in the world, he permitted the establishment of a female Saṅgha so as to afford equal opportunity for spiritual cultivation. However, conferring full ordination (upasampadā) upon a female probationer was by no means a simple matter. The Vinaya sets forth in great detail the conditions, stages of training, and qualifications that must be fulfilled before a woman may officially become a fully ordained nun (bhikkhuṇī).
The discourse "Asikkhita-sikkhamānā" (The Untrained Female Probationer) addresses the circumstances under which it is not permitted to confer full ordination upon a female probationer who has not yet completed the requisite period of training. This rule serves to protect both the individual practitioner and the integrity of the Saṅgha.
Principal Content
According to the Bhikkhuṇī Vinaya, before receiving full ordination as a bhikkhuṇī, a woman must pass through the stage of "sikkhamānā" (female probationer) lasting at least two years. Throughout this period, she must study and practice the prescribed rituals, the fundamental teachings of Buddhism, and must train her mind and conduct in accordance with Buddhist standards.
The Asikkhita-sikkhamānā discourse states clearly that if a female probationer has not completed the training process and has not been recognized as "fully trained" (sikkhita), then conferring full ordination upon her constitutes a violation of the Vinaya. This offense is classified as a Pācittiya (an offense of expiation) — one of the lighter categories of offenses within the Bhikkhuṇī Vinaya, yet nonetheless an improper act for which those who confer ordination upon an unprepared female probationer must make formal confession.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.