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Tenth Khandhaka. Chapter 6

6.

1. Now at that time the Ptimokkha was not recited to the Bhikkhuns.

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow the Ptimokkha, O Bhikkhus, to be recited to the Bhikkhuns.'

Now it occurred to the Bhikkhuns: 'By whom should the Ptimokkha be recited to the Bhikkhuns?'

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow, O Bhikkhus, the Ptimokkha to be recited to Bhikkhuns by Bhikkhus.'

Now at that time Bhikkhus went to the residence of the Bhikkhuns and recited the Ptimokkha to the Bhikkhuns there. The people murmured, and were indignant, saying: 'There are their wives, there are their mistresses; now will they take pleasure together.'

The Bhikkhus heard this, and told the matter to the Blessed One.

'Bhikkhus are not, O Bhikkhus, to recite the

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[paragraph continues] Ptimokkha to the Bhikkhuns at their residence. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukka"t"a. I allow Bhikkhuns, O Bhikkhus, to recite the Ptimokkha to the Bhikkhuns.
'

The Bhikkhuns did not know how to recite the Ptimokkha. They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell Bhikkhuns how to recite the Ptimokkha.'

2. Now at that time the Bhikkhuns did not confess the faults (they had committed).

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'A Bhikkhun, O Bhikkhus, is not to leave a fault unconfessed. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukka"t"a.'

The Bhikkhuns did not know how to confess their faults. They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell Bhikkhuns how they should confess their faults.'

Then it occurred to the Bhikkhus: 'By whom ought the confession of a fault to be received from the Bhikkhuns?' They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to receive the confession of a fault from Bhikkhuns.'

Now at that time Bhikkhuns, on seeing a Bhikkhu on the road, or in a street closed at one end, or at the place where four cross-roads met, would place their bowl on the ground, and arranging their robes over one shoulder, would crouch down on their heels, and stretch forth their joined hands, and confess a fault. The people murmured, were indignant, and complained, saying: 'There are their wives, there are their mistresses; they are asking

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pardon now after having treated them scornfully overnight.
'

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'Bhikkhus are not, O Bhikkhus, to receive the confessions of a fault from Bhikkhuns. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukka"t"a. I allow Bhikkhuns, O Bhikkhus, to receive the confession of a fault from Bhikkhuns.'

The Bhikkhuns did not know how to receive the confession of a fault. They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell Bhikkhuns how to receive the confession of a fault.'

3. Now at that time disciplinary proceedings (Kammas) were not carried out against Bhikkhuns. They told that matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow disciplinary proceedings, O Bhikkhus, to be carried out against Bhikkhuns.'

Then the Bhikkhus thought: 'By whom ought disciplinary proceedings to be carried out against Bhikkhuns?' They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to carry out disciplinary proceedings against Bhikkhuns.'

Now at that time Bhikkhuns who had been subjected to disciplinary proceedings, on seeing a Bhikkhu on the road, or in a street closed at one end, or at the place where four cross-roads met, would place their bowls on the ground, and arranging their robes over one shoulder, would crouch down on their heels, and stretching out their joined palms would ask for pardon, thinking that that was the proper time for doing so. The people murmured [&c., as before].

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They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'Bhikkhus are not, O Bhikkhus, to carry out disciplinary proceedings against the Bhikkhuns. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukka"t"a.' I allow Bhikkhuns, O Bhikkhus, to carry out disciplinary proceedings against Bhikkhuns.'

The Bhikkhuns did not know how to carry out the disciplinary proceedings. They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'I allow Bhikkhus, O Bhikkhus, to tell the Bhikkhuns how to carry out disciplinary proceedings.'
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