Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 76Ordaining Married Girls Under Twelve

Discourse on Ordaining Married Girls Under Twelve Years Old

Context

This is recorded in the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically in the Pācittiya section of the Bhikkhunī Vinaya. It is one of the detailed disciplinary rules laid down by the Buddha to govern the community of bhikkhunīs in the early period of Buddhism.

The historical context for this rule relates to practical issues encountered by the community of practice. In the Buddha’s time, admitting young girls to full ordination (upasampadā) required the consent and support of their families. However, complicated cases arose, especially when girls who were already married (gihigata) wished to go forth before reaching the prescribed age.

The Vinaya Piṭaka was established to protect three things: to protect the Sangha, to protect the individual practitioner, and to protect those who did not yet have faith in the Buddha-Dharma. This rule reflects that protective purpose.

Main Content

The Ūnadvādasavassa-gihigata rule prohibits bhikkhunīs, or those proceeding toward full ordination, from accepting a married girl, one already in a household relationship, into the training community if she is not yet twelve years old.

The term “gihigata,” having gone to household life, here refers to girls who have husbands or who have recognized marital ties. The age requirement (ūnadvādasavassa - under twelve years) is established to ensure that a person has a minimum maturity before committing to the strict life of practice.

This rule is not an absolute prohibition on going forth, but a condition concerning age and marital status. For girls under twelve who are unmarried, or for girls aged twelve or older regardless of marital status, other rules apply. If it is violated, a bhikkhunī commits a Pācittiya offense, a violation requiring acknowledgment and confession before the community of bhikkhunīs.