Bi Pc 22. Removing pubic hair

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on garlic 2. Removing pubic hair

Origin story

At one time the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery. At that time the nuns from the group of six removed the hair from their private parts. They then bathed naked at a ford in the river Aciravatī together with sex workers. The sex workers complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns remove the hair from their private parts? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!”

The nuns heard the complaints of those sex workers, and the nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns from the group of six remove the hair from their private parts?” … “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do that?”

“It’s true, sir.”

The Buddha rebuked them, “How can the nuns from the group of six do that? This will affect people’s confidence …” … “And, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling

‘If a nun removes hair from her private parts, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

Definitions

A: whoever … Nun: … The nun who has been given the full ordination in unanimity by both Sanghas through a legal procedure consisting of one motion and three announcements that is irreversible and fit to stand—this sort of nun is meant in this case. The private parts: both armpits and the groin. Removes: if she removes one hair, she commits an offense entailing confession. Even if she removes many hairs, she commits one offense entailing confession.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if she does it because she is sick; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

The second training rule is finished.