Bi Pc 3434. Not nursing a disciple

Not Nursing a Disciple (Naupaṭṭhāna)

Origin

In the Vinaya of the Bhikkhunīs belonging to the Theravāda tradition, the Vinaya Piṭaka records the rules of conduct to be observed in order to maintain the purity of the Saṅgha. This rule, number 34, falls within the Bhikkhunī Vibhaṅga section of the Pāṭimokkha—the commentary on the rules for nuns—and concerns a fundamental matter of Buddhist conduct: care, compassion, and solidarity within the community of practitioners.

The circumstances that gave rise to this rule are connected with the first Bhikkhunīs in the time of the Buddha. When a fellow monastic fell ill, those within the community were required to take responsibility for her care—not as an individual obligation, but as an expression of the spirit of the Saṅgha. This rule emphasizes that abandoning a sick disciple is an act that constitutes a violation of the Vinaya, reflecting a lack of compassion and moral responsibility.

Main Content

According to the provisions of the Bhikkhunī Pāṭimokkha, a Bhikkhunī who fails to nurse (naupaṭṭhāna) a sick Bhikkhunī disciple without a legitimate reason must confess this offense. The Pāli term naupaṭṭhāna—meaning non-attendance or non-nursing—refers to the neglect of one's responsibility to care for a sick person within the Saṅgha.

This offense is regarded as a violation of compassion (karuṇā)—one of the fundamental virtues that every bhikkhu and bhikkhunī must cultivate. Caring for the sick is not merely a matter of personal feeling; it is a part of the Vinaya, the code of conduct. A sick person requires drinking water, suitable food, medicine, and—most importantly—the presence of fellow practitioners to provide support both physically and spiritually.

The rule stipulates that every Bhikkhunī should be capable of caring for another, or at the very least must make arrangements for someone else to provide care. If she is unable to do so due to her own illness or other recognized reasons, no offense is incurred.