San Mg Bu Pm Pd 1Letting a Nun Order Food
Pāli / Sanskrit:Dutiyapāṭidesanīya
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An Explanation of the Dutiyapāṭidesanīya Rule (Allowing a Bhikkhuni to Order Food)
Background
Dutiyapāṭidesanīya is one of the regulations classified as Pāṭidesanīya, offenses requiring public acknowledgment, in the women’s Vinaya of the Pāli Canon. This rule arose from an incident in the Sangha during the lifetime of Buddha Śākyamuni, concerning the conduct of bhikkhunis when asking for cooked rice from the sick or from householders.
According to the traditional Theravāda background, bhikkhunis needed to observe stricter disciplinary rules than bhikkhus. These regulations were intended to ensure purity of conduct, respect from society, and the avoidance of unnecessary suspicion. Dutiyapāṭidesanīya specifically concerns the way bhikkhunis carry out alms seeking, a daily and essential activity in the life of monastics.
Main Content
This rule arose from a specific situation: some bhikkhunis would ask sick people or householders to provide cooked rice for them, instead of following the tradition of going on alms round themselves. Although the intention might have been good, such as avoiding disturbing the sick, this action created certain problems. First, it broke the principle of independence in alms seeking. Second, it could create the impression that bhikkhunis had preferences, or even give rise to unwanted misunderstandings.
Buddhism always emphasizes humility and accord with the teachings. Therefore, the Buddha restricted this behavior. Dutiyapāṭidesanīya states that a bhikkhuni should not ask anyone to provide cooked rice for her, whether a sick person or anyone else, unless it is absolutely necessary and there is clear permission. If a bhikkhuni violates this regulation, she must publicly acknowledge it before the Sangha and the other bhikkhunis.
This rule belongs to the Pāṭidesanīya class: among the lighter offenses in the Vinaya for bhikkhunis, but still requiring public acknowledgment (samma-dullakkhana) as the means of correction.
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