Bi Pc 7676. Agreeing to stop ordaining, but then criticizing it
Pāli / Sanskrit:Khiyyanadhamma
A nun who agrees when she is refused permission to give ordination but later criticizes it must confess the offense.
Save your scripture progress
Create a free account to save scriptures, track progress, and continue your daily learning path.
Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha Rule 76: Khiyyanadhamma
Background
This rule appears in the Bhikkhunī Pātimokkha (the code of precepts for nuns), which is the body of Vinaya dedicated specifically to female monastics in the Theravāda tradition. It reflects a particular situation within the community of nuns during the time of Śākyamuni Buddha: the matter of the right to declare and endorse (anumodana) ordination ceremonies.
The historical context indicates that only the most experienced nuns of the highest virtue held the right to participate in the approval process for recognizing a woman newly entering the study of the Dharma. However, certain nuns violated this principle by failing to abide by the refusal of the presiding elders or those in authority, and subsequently criticizing that decision. This is a form of conduct reflecting both a lack of respect and an inconsistency between word and deed.
Main Content
Khiyyanadhamma (khiyyati = to be refused; dhamma = teaching, rule) concerns the situation in which a nun is asked to relinquish her right to participate in the ordination process of new nuns. At first, the person agrees: "Very well, I will no longer do that."
However, having made such a promise, the nun then turns around and criticizes that very decision. She may say: "This is not fair," "Why am I being refused?" or similar criticisms directed at the act of refusal and at those who made the decision.
According to the canonical texts, this conduct is regarded as an offense (dhamma-āpatti), and the nun must confess her transgression before the assembly of nuns (saṅgha). This confession is not a severe punishment, but it is an expression of reverence and respect for the discipline of the Saṅgha.
This rule does not belong to the category of pācittiya (offenses requiring heavy confession and expiation), but is rather a lighter offense, reflecting a lack of care in both speech and action.
Practical Significance
This teaching imparts three precious lessons. First, consistency between word and deed is the foundation of Buddhist practice.
🌏 The Buddhist canon is vast — some sūtras (such as comparative Vinaya across schools, or untranslated Tibetan-canon texts) have to this day NEVER been translated into Vietnamese or English by anyone, scholars included. Rather than leave it blank, Inti AI offers a FAITHFUL summary grounded in the tradition — from the sūtra's title, origin and essence — so you can still reach this rare part of the treasury. Whenever an original translation exists, the app shows the original first.
Translations belong to the translator/source credited above. The bilingual compilation, presentation, and AI translations compiled by Inti are © Inti Foundation. Please attribute when quoting; do not bulk-copy or use commercially without permission.