Xct Mu Kd 18bNuns
Pāli / Sanskrit:Bhikkhunī
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Scripture on Bhikkhunīs (Bhikkhunī)
Background
This portion of scripture belongs to the Vinaya Piṭaka, specifically the Mahāvagga of the Bhikkhu Vinaya, within the Theravāda Buddhist tradition. The Vinaya Piṭaka is a collection of rules and guidelines governing the life of the monastic community, established to protect the purity of the Saṅgha and to sustain the spirit of practice among the disciples of the Buddha.
According to traditional history, the Bhikkhunī (female renunciant) constitutes an important part of the monastic community (Saṅgha). The Buddha Śākyamuni was quite hesitant to admit women into the order, out of concern for the safety and purity of the religious community. However, due to the request of Princess Mahāpajāpatī and the intercession of the Venerable Ānanda, he ultimately granted permission for women to go forth into homelessness. From this, the fourfold assembly came into being — comprising Bhikkhus, Bhikkhunīs, Upāsakas, and Upāsikās.
Principal Contents
The portion of the Vinaya Piṭaka concerning Bhikkhunīs primarily sets forth the rules of the Pātimokkha and the guidelines for practice that female renunciants are required to observe. Unlike Bhikkhus, who hold 227 training rules, Bhikkhunīs are required to uphold 311 training rules, reflecting a higher degree of regulatory observance.
The principal contents include: (1) the Pārājikā (grave offenses entailing defeat, irremediable in nature), comprising sexual misconduct, theft, taking of human life, and false claims to supramundane attainments; (2) the Saṅghādisesa (offenses requiring formal action by the Saṅgha), relating to conduct liable to cause harm or deviation; (3) the Pācittiya (offenses requiring confession before the community), along with detailed rules governing daily life.
A particularly notable element is the "Eight Principles of Respect" (Garudhamma) — rules that Bhikkhunīs are required to observe — which establish a relationship of doctrinal dependence between the Bhikkhunī order and the Bhikkhu order.
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