Theravāda Vinayapiṭaka

Nuns’ rules and their analysis

Nuns’ Expiation (Pācittiya) 91–93

… at Sāvatthī in the Jeta Grove in Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. Now at that time nuns caused (themselves) to be rubbed (with ointment) and also caused (themselves) to be massaged by a probationer … by a female novice … by a woman householder. People, engaged in touring the dwelling-place, having seen (them), … spread it about, saying: “How can these nuns cause (themselves) to be rubbed (with ointment) and also cause (themselves) to be massaged by a probationer … by a female novice … by a woman householder, just like women householders who enjoy pleasures of the senses?” Nuns heard … see Bi-Pc.90.1 … “… this rule of training:

Whatever nun should cause (herself) to be rubbed (with ointment) or should cause (herself) to be massaged by a probationer … by a female novice … by a woman householder, there is an offence of expiation.”


Whatever means: … nun is to be understood in this case.

Probationer means: one who has trained for two years in the six rules.

Female novice means: one conforming to the ten rules of training.

Woman householder means: she is called a housewife.

Should cause (herself) to be rubbed (with ointment) means: if she makes (another) rub (her with ointment), there is an offence of expiation.

Should cause (herself) to be massaged means: if she makes (another) rub (her), there is an offence of expiation.


There is no offence if it is on account of illness; if there are accidents; if she is mad, if she is the first wrong-doer.