Bi Pc 4848. Not relinquishing a lodging
Pāli / Sanskrit:Āvasathavihāra
A nun who goes wandering without giving up her lodging must confess the offense.
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Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 48: Not Relinquishing a Lodging
Background
This rule belongs to the Bhikkhunī Pāṭimokkha (the code of rules for female monastics), specifically within the Pācittiya section — offenses requiring confession and expiation (Pācittiyaṃ paṭikāra). Pācittiya means "requiring expiation," denoting a moderate level of offense within the Vinaya system of the Theravāda tradition.
The historical context of this rule relates to the need to manage the conduct of female monastics within the early Buddhist community. One of the foundational principles of monastic life is stability — female renunciants require a settled place of residence from which to pursue their practice and participate in communal activities. When a monastic takes up residence at a particular place (called an āvasatha, or lodging, or a vihāra, a monastery), she assumes the responsibility of clearly informing the custodians or the community when she intends to depart, so as not to leave confusion or concern in her wake.
Main Content
Bhikkhunī Pācittiya 48 stipulates that: if a bhikkhunī goes wandering (carissati) without relinquishing her lodging (āvasathaṃ na paṭinissajja) — that is, without clearly informing the monastery's custodians or those responsible that she is departing — she commits a Pācittiya offense, requiring confession and expiation before the community.
The principle of "relinquishing a lodging" (paṭinissajja) is not simply a matter of departing in silence. It entails a formal, open act: the female monastic must explicitly declare or announce to those in authority — ordinarily a senior nun or the community — that she will no longer be residing there. This act reflects respect for proper procedure and the social responsibility borne by one who has gone forth.
If a bhikkhunī simply disappears or wanders off without giving notice, the community is thrown into disarray — not knowing where she has gone, whether she has met with danger, or whether she has breached discipline. This creates instability within the monastery and renders the management of the community difficult.
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