Xct Mu Bi Pc 75Ordaining Trained Unmarried Girls Without Approval

Explanation of the Sutra on Ordaining Unapproved Female Students

Background

This sutra belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Pāli Canon, the disciplinary regulations used to maintain discipline in the monastery. Specifically, this is a prohibition in the Bhikkhunīvibhaṅga, the rules for female monastics, where violations and penalties related to the community of female monastics, the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha, are recorded.

The historical background of this sutra comes from the time of the Buddha Gotama, when the Saṅgha began establishing rules of practice in order to protect purity and discipline. The regulations concerning unauthorized ordination were intended to prevent cases of distorting faith, exploiting the status of monastics, or failing to ensure the necessary qualifications.

Main Content

The sutra establishes that: *if an unmarried girl who has not yet reached twenty years of age, even if she has been trained in monastic discipline (sikkhita), is ordained without approval or consent from the relevant parties (asammata), this constitutes a serious violation*.

The term "paripuṇṇavīsativassa" indicates the age of having completed twenty years, a legal threshold in the Vinaya. "Sikkhita" (trained) means that the girl has been taught the basic ethical rules and knowledge of monastic practice. "Kumāribhūta" indicates the state of being a young girl. "Asammata" (not approved) refers to the lack of consent from parents, guardians, or the Bhikkhunī Saṅgha itself.

This prohibition was established to ensure that every ordination is a carefully considered decision, carried out with the approval of those responsible for protection and guidance. This reflects respect for the family, the community, and, most importantly, for the person who wishes to go forth.

Practical Meaning

This rule is not a restrictive protection but a safeguard. It ensures that those who enter the monastery have sufficient psychological, physical, and legal preparation.