四分律刪繁補闕行事鈔 1.512

1.512

Seventh, differences between monks and nuns: In the Bhikṣuṇī-vinaya of the Dharmaguptaka, taking leave for seven days is permitted, but it does not mention more. In the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya: 'Nuns have no procedure for taking leave for days by karman; if wandering for affairs of a stūpa or affairs of the saṃgha, they take leave for seven days and go.' Recently, some have inappropriately equated this with the monks' rules, claiming that whenever circumstances arise, they may take leave through the three procedures; the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya has no such text, and the Mahāsāṃghika-vinaya clearly decides against it, which is sufficient as a standard, requiring no further interpretation. The reason they differ is that nuns are female and weak, and have no need for extensive travels; going into the world to convert outsiders has little meaning for generating goodness; only allowing seven days also resolves particular circumstances.