Xct Mu Bi Pm Pc 86Giving Ordination to One of Bad Character
Pāli / Sanskrit:Giving ordination to one of bad character
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Sutta on Ordination for One of Bad Character
Background
This rule is recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka of the Pali Canon, specifically in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha section, the rules for nuns. The appearance of this regulation reflects the practical needs of the early Buddhist monastic community, when questions concerning the quality of character of those admitted into the community became urgent.
According to the Theravada tradition, the rules were not laid down arbitrarily by the Buddha, but arose from specific events. When an unsuitable situation occurred — such as admitting a person of bad character into the community — the Buddha would establish a regulation to prevent the same thing from recurring. This expresses his skillful wisdom (upaya) in protecting the purity of the Sangha Jewel.
Main Content
This rule states that a person of bad character or with moral defects should not be allowed to join the renunciant community. Specifically, the standards of inquiry include examining whether the person seeks the discipline, whether the person is sincere in intention, and most importantly, whether the person has truly abandoned worldly conduct.
Signs of "bad character" (pāpa-sīla) include harmful actions (himsa), deceit (māyā), and negative habits from lay life that have not yet been removed. The Vinaya Pitaka values the careful selection of those entering the Sangha, because the presence of unsuitable individuals can weaken the spiritual strength of the community.
The admission procedure (upasampadā) for nuns or monks requires clear confirmation from the Sangha community. Before formal acceptance, the presiding teachers must conduct a thorough investigation into the history, motivation, and purpose of the one requesting entry. This is to ensure that those accepted truly have the capacity to train in the Dharma seriously.
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