Bi Pc 6161. Ordaining a pregnant woman

Commentary on the Gabbhinī Sutta (Bi Pc 61)

Concerning the Ordination of a Pregnant Woman

Background

The Gabbhinī appears in the Pātimokkha (Bhikkhuṇī Pācittiya, rule 61), within the Vinaya Piṭaka of the Theravāda tradition. The origin of this rule is connected to an incident in the community of bhikkhunīs during the time of the Buddha. According to the records, there were cases in which women sought entry into the order without fulfilling the minimum conditions of health and fitness. Specifically, certain pregnant women had been ordained by senior bhikkhunīs without thorough examination.

The Buddha recognized that this gave rise to harmful consequences: it affected not only the health of the pregnant women themselves, but also violated the spirit of the Dhamma-Vinaya, since those nuns were not fully capable of observing the precepts. Accordingly, he instructed the community and established this rule in order to protect the physical, mental, and moral well-being of the bhikkhunī Sangha.

Main Content

Pācittiya rule 61 (Bi Pc 61) states clearly: If a bhikkhunī intentionally ordains a pregnant woman, that bhikkhunī commits an offence of Pācittiya (an offence requiring confession and reparation).

The spirit of this rule is not one of judgment or condemnation, but of protection. To ordain a pregnant woman is an irresponsible act for several reasons. First, pregnant women require proper care, must follow a nutritionally adequate diet, and must avoid excessively rigorous practices that could affect the unborn child. Second, pregnancy is commonly accompanied by difficult physical and psychological changes, rendering the observance of the precepts exceedingly difficult.

This rule establishes a standard: those who confer ordination must confirm that the candidate is not pregnant. This forms part of the "pañcaṅga ñāti"