Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 78Ordaining Trained Married Girls Without Approval

Interpretation of the Discourse: Ordaining a Trained Married Woman Without Approval

Context

This discourse belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically to the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha, the collection of rules that female monastics must observe. In the early days of the Buddhist Sangha, going forth was not a simple act. The fully awakened Buddha Śākyamuni established strict standards to protect both those being ordained as bhikkhunīs and the Sangha, in order to maintain the purity and reliability of the Sangha.

This rule concerns the issue of married girls who wish to go forth. In ancient Indian society, a married woman had “legal responsibilities” toward her husband’s family. The question arose: could such a person be ordained as a bhikkhunī without needing approval from family members, especially the husband?

Main Content

The discourse stipulates that a married woman who has fully matured in the study of the Buddhist rules (sikkhita - trained) must not be ordained as a bhikkhunī without approval (asammata) from her husband or representatives of the family. This is a Pācittiya rule - part of the discipline regulating improper actions.

The reason behind this rule is not to block women’s path of practice, but to:

First, respect socially recognized relationships. Going forth without informing or asking permission can give rise to legal disputes and affect the honor of the Sangha.

Second, it reflects compassionate and practical balance. A wife who has gone forth without her husband’s knowledge may lead to difficulties; the husband may even search for her, causing disruption to the monastic community.

Third, this ensures that women entering the monastery as bhikkhunīs do so out of genuine faith in the Dharma, not in order to escape family responsibilities or from unclear motives.