San Lo Bu Pm Pc 24Teaching Nuns for Profit

The Discourse on Teaching Bhikkhunīs for Gain (Āmisa)

Background

The Vinaya Piṭaka is the collection of training rules that the Buddha Gotama established for the Sangha over many years of teaching the Dharma. This discourse belongs to Pātimokkha Samvara, specifically in the Saṅghādisesa section: offenses that require communal handling by monks and nuns.

In the early period, the Buddha observed that within the monastic community, some Dharma assistants or those of high standing among the nuns began using their influence to teach the Dharma to other nuns, while receiving valuable material things (āmisa) as reward or personal benefit. This conduct violated the spirit of liberation from attachment to possessions, which is the foundation of the pure life of brahmacariya.

Main Content

The rule states that if a nun teaches the Dharma to other nuns with the primary purpose of receiving robes, food, lodging, medicine, or any other material thing, this act is regarded as a Saṅghādisesa offense. The important point is intention (cetanā): if the principal motivation is material gain rather than bringing spiritual benefit to the students, then it is a breach of the principle.

This rule does not prohibit teaching the Dharma or receiving the necessities of life. Rather, it prohibits using the role of Dharma teacher to seek gain. This distinction is very subtle but essential. A bhikkhunī may receive robes, food, and requisites needed for training, but her primary purpose must be directed toward helping other nuns progress on the path of liberation.

Furthermore, the discourse emphasizes that using the Dharma, the most precious treasure in Buddhism, to obtain personal gain is an especially serious act. That is why it is classified as Saṅghādisesa rather than among lighter offenses.

Practical Meaning

The discourse teaches us that in the study and practice of the Buddha-Dharma, intention is everything.