San Lo Bi Pn 40Monks’ Bringing

San Lo Bi Pn 40 Discourse: Bhikṣūṇām Abhihāro (Concerning the Bringing of Monks)

Background

This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the ethical rules specifically for bhikkhunīs. The background recorded in the Pāli Canon shows that the Buddha issued these regulations to maintain discipline, order, and education within the female monastic Sangha.

San Lo Bi Pn 40 (bhikṣūṇām abhihāro) is directly related to the issue of transporting or guiding monastics, an important aspect of managing a religious community in the early Buddhist environment. The historical context shows that nuns needed support and protection in their activities of practice, especially when traveling or practicing outside the monastery community.

Main Content

This discourse prescribes principles for how male monks (bhikkhus) support and guide nuns in necessary activities of practice. This is not only a practical matter of safety and convenience, but also an expression of respect and protection within the religious community.

The main regulation includes this: when nuns need to travel, seek water, food, or perform important duties, male monks are given responsibility to support them appropriately. However, this support must observe clear limits concerning distance, time, and context, in order to avoid suspicion or error. The discourse states that male monks must not exceed these boundaries without a valid reason.

Specifically, these rules include: the distance within which a nun may be assisted by a male monk; which situations are considered “lawful” for such help; and which cases are forbidden because they may lead to actions not in accordance with the precepts. The purpose is to protect both nuns and monks from accusations or improper conduct.