1. Now at that time the Bhikkhunîs did not hold Pavâranâ.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'A Bhikkhunî is not, O Bhikkhus, to omit holding Pavâranâ. Whosoever does so, shall be dealt with according to law 1.'
Now at that time the Bhikkhunîs held Pavâranâ by themselves, and not in the Bhikkhu-samgha.
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'A Bhikkhunî is not, O Bhikkhus, to hold Pavâranâ apart, and not in the Bhikkhu-samgha. Whosoever does so, shall be dealt with according to law 2.'
Now at that time Bhikkhunîs holding Pavâranâ with the Bhikkhus only, and not apart by themselves, disturbed (the meeting of the Bhikkhu-samgha).
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'A Bhikkhunî is not, O Bhikkhus, to hold Pavâranâ with the Bhikkhu-samgha only. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty oft dukkata 2.'
Now at that time Bhikkhunîs spent all their time
before noon holding Pavâranâ [and so had no time left for the early meal].
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that they hold Pavâranâ in the afternoon.'
When holding Pavâranâ in the afternoon, they had not time enough [to conclude their own ceremony that day, and take part in that of the Bhikkhus].
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I allow them, O Bhikkhus, to hold their own Pavâranâ one day, and that with the Bhikkhus the next day.'
2. Now at that time the whole of the Bhikkhunî-samgha declaring, each one for herself, her Pavâranâ before the Bhikkhu-samgha, disturbed (the proceedings).
They told this matter to the Blessed One.
'I prescribe, O Bhikkhus, that some one learned and competent Bhikkhunî be deputed to make the Pavâranâ invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunî-samgha before the Bhikkhu-samgha. And thus, O Bhikkhus, is she to be deputed:
'"First, the Bhikkhunî is to be asked (whether she be willing to serve). When that has been done, a learned and discreet Bhikkhunî is to lay this motion before the Samgha: Let the Samgha, venerable Ladies, hear me. If it seem meet to the Samgha, let the Samgha depute N. N. to make the Pavâranâ invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunî-samgha before the Bhikkhu-samgha. That is the motion.
'"Let the Samgha, venerable Ladies, hear me. The Samgha deputes N. N. to make the Pavâranâ invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunî-samgha before the Bhikkhu-samgha. Whosoever of the venerable
ones approves thereof, let her keep silence. Whosoever approves not thereof, let her speak.
'"N. N. is deputed by the Samgha to make the Pavâranâ invitation on behalf of the Bhikkhunî-samgha before the Bhikkhu-samgha. The Samgha approves thereof. Therefore is it silent. Thus do I understand."'
3. 'When that Bhikkhunî has been deputed, she, accompanied by the Bhikkhunî-samgha, is to go before the Bhikkhu-samgha, arrange her robe over one shoulder, bow down before the Bhikkhus, and sitting on her heels, to stretch forth her joined palms, and say: "The Bhikkhunî-samgha invites the Bhikkhu-samgha (to point out to them any faults they may have committed) in respect of things heard, or seen, or suspected. May the Bhikkhu-samgha speak to the Bhikkhunî-samgha (if there be anything wherein they have offended) out of compassion toward them. Then will they, if they perceive the offence, confess the same. And a second time the Bhikkhunî-samgha . . . . . . [the whole repeated]. And a third time . . . . . . [the whole repeated] 1."'
356:1 The 57th Bhikkhunî Pâkittiya, which is the same as the 4th Garudhamma above, X, I, 4.
356:2 See last note.
358:1 This, of course, is the same form that each separate member of the Order uses before his or her own Samgha. Compare our notes above on the corresponding passage in the Mahâvagga, IV, I, 4.