San Lo Bi Vb Pc 98Ordaining Untrained Candidate
Pāli / Sanskrit:Asikkhita-sikkhamānā
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The Asikkhita-sikkhamānā Sutta: The Ordination of Those Who Have Not Studied the Dhamma
Background
In the traditional Theravāda Vinaya, the regulations concerning the ordination of female candidates (sikkhamānā, provisionally rendered as "female Dhamma students") constitute an important section of the Vinaya — the body of disciplinary rules governing the Sangha. This text is recorded in the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga (the detailed exposition of the rules for female monastics), and specifically constitutes a Pācittiya — a class of offense requiring confession and expiation (Pācittiya 98 in the canonical recensions).
During the lifetime of the Blessed One Śākyamuni, the reception of those wishing to study the Dhamma was conducted according to clearly established standards. A female Dhamma student, distinct from a bhikkhunī — a fully ordained nun — was required to undergo a period of study and contemplation before formally requesting full ordination. This text addresses cases of transgression arising in the course of this process — in particular, when fully ordained nuns confer ordination upon those who have not yet fulfilled the conditions for Dhamma training (asikkhita).
Principal Content
This rule reflects a foundational principle: before formally becoming a bhikkhunī, each candidate must demonstrate that she has thoroughly mastered the fundamental teachings of the Buddhadhamma and has observed the five precepts (pañcasīla) for a minimum of two years as a sikkhamānā. This process is intended to ensure that those about to take ordination possess not only faith, but also genuine understanding and firm resolve.
If a bhikkhunī accepts a candidate who has not completed this full period of Dhamma training, she incurs a Pācittiya offense. This constitutes a fault in the administration of the Sangha, as it may give rise to adverse consequences: the one thus ordained may be insufficiently prepared to uphold the monastic precepts, or questions may arise concerning the validity of that ordination.
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