Chapter 12

12.

1. Now at that time a certain woman, who had formerly belonged to the clan of the Mallas 2 had entered the Order of the Bhikkhunîs. She, seeing a weakly Bhikkhu on the road, struck up against him with the edge of her shoulder, and knocked him over. The Bhikkhus murmured, were indignant, and complained, saying: 'How can a Bhikkhunî assault a Bhikkhu?'

They told this matter to the Blessed One.

'A Bhikkhunî is not, O Bhikkhus, to assault a

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Bhikkhu. Whosoever does so, shall be guilty of a dukkata. I prescribe that a Bhikkhunî, O Bhikkhus, on seeing a Bhikkhu, should get out of the way when still at a distance, and make room for him.'