Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 75Ordaining Trained Unmarried Girls Without Approval
Pāli / Sanskrit:Paripuṇṇavīsativassa-sikkhita-kumāribhūta-asammata
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Interpretation of the Discourse on Ordaining Trained Unmarried Girls Without Approval
Context
This discourse appears in the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition, especially in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the discipline of bhikkhunīs. It concerns one of the most complex issues in the history of the Buddhist monastic community of monks and nuns: the ordination of female monastics.
The context of the discourse reflects the developmental stage of the bhikkhunī Sangha when regulations concerning female monastics had not yet been fully standardized. The Blessed Buddha Śākyamuni, though initially hesitant about establishing the nuns’ order, eventually allowed women to go forth when they met the necessary conditions. However, ordaining - conferring the precepts on one who goes forth - had to follow a strict procedure to ensure the sanctity and safety of the community.
The discourse Paripuṇṇavīsativassa-sikkhita-kumāribhūta-asammata addresses a specific case: conferring ordination on unmarried female candidates who had completed the requisite period of training and were of full twenty years of age (paripuṇṇa-vīsati-vassa), but were ordained without approval (asammata) from those in authority or from their families.
Main Content
This discourse clearly stipulates that conferring ordination on female monastics must follow the formal procedure. Even if a female candidate has passed through years of cultivation, studied the Buddha’s teachings, and shown depth in every aspect of the path, if the ordination takes place without approval (asammata) from senior bhikkhunīs or from senior monks, it is a violation of the rule.
What is noteworthy is that the discourse does not deny the capacity or diligence of the person being ordained. That a woman has trained for the required period, depending on the tradition, and has demonstrated understanding of the teaching are important conditions. However, the formal process - acceptance by the community - cannot be bypassed.
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