Bi Pc 8484. Using sunshades and sandals

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Nuns’ Analysis

The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on sunshades and sandals 84. Using sunshades and sandals

Origin story First sub-story At one time when the Buddha was staying at Sāvatthī in Anāthapiṇḍika’s Monastery, the nuns from the group of six used sunshades and sandals. People complained and criticized them, “How can nuns use sunshades and sandals? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!”

The nuns heard the complaints of those people. The nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns from the group of six use sunshades and sandals?” … “Is it true, monks, that those nuns do this?”

“It’s true, sir.”

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

First preliminary ruling

‘If a nun uses a sunshade and sandals, she commits an offense entailing confession.’”

In this way the Buddha laid down this training rule for the nuns. Second sub-story Soon afterwards there was a sick nun who was not comfortable without a sunshade and sandals. … They told the Buddha. The Buddha then had the Sangha gathered and addressed the monks:

“Monks, I allow a sick nun to use a sunshade and sandals.

And so, monks, the nuns should recite this training rule like this:

Final ruling

‘If a nun who is not sick uses a sunshade and sandals, 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. Who is not sick: who is comfortable without a sunshade and sandals. Who is sick: who is not comfortable without a sunshade and sandals. A sunshade: there are three kinds of sunshades: the white sunshade, the reed sunshade, the leaf sunshade. They are bound at the rim and bound at the ribs. Uses: if she uses them even once, she commits an offense entailing confession.

Permutations

If she is not sick, and she does not perceive herself as sick, and she uses a sunshade and sandals, she commits an offense entailing confession. If she is not sick, but she is unsure of it, and she uses a sunshade and sandals, she commits an offense entailing confession. If she is not sick, but she perceives herself as sick, and she uses a sunshade and sandals, she commits an offense entailing confession.

If she uses a sunshade, but not sandals, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she uses sandals, but not a sunshade, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is sick, but she does not perceive herself as sick, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is sick, but she is unsure of it, she commits an offense of wrong conduct. If she is sick, and she perceives herself as sick, there is no offense.

Non-offenses

There is no offense: if she is sick; if she uses them in a monastery or in the vicinity of a monastery; if there is an emergency; if she is insane; if she is the first offender.

The first training rule is finished.