The nuns heard the complaints of those people, and the nuns of few desires complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns from the group of six do this?” … “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:

Final ruling ‘If a nun studies worldly subjects, 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. Worldly subjects: whatever is external to the Buddha’s Teaching, not connected with the goal. Learns: if she learns by the line, then for every line she commits an offense entailing confession. If she learns by the syllable, then for every syllable she commits an offense entailing confession.

Non-offenses There is no offense: if she learns writing; if she learns protective verses; if she learns verses for the purpose of protection; if she is insane; if she is the first offender. The ninth training rule is finished.

Theravāda Collection on Monastic Law The Nuns’ Analysis The chapter on offenses entailing confession The subchapter on galleries Teaching worldly subjects

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 were teaching worldly subjects. People complained and criticized them, “How can the nuns teach worldly subjects? They’re just like householders who indulge in worldly pleasures!”