Verses on Dhamma 5.10.69_6

5.10.69_6

Imissā attho brāhmaṇavaggeyeva āvi bhavissati. Satthā pana rājānaṃ pasenadikosalaṃ pakkosāpetvā, ‘‘mahārāja, imasmiṃ sāsane yatheva kulaputtā, evaṃ kuladhītaropi mahantaṃ ñātigaṇañca bhogakkhandhañca pahāya pabbajitvā araññe viharanti. Tā evaṃ viharamānā rāgarattā pāpapuggalā omānātimānavasena viheṭhentipi, brahmacariyantarāyampi pāpenti, tasmā bhikkhunisaṅghassa antonagare vasanaṭṭhānaṃ kātuṃ vaṭṭatī’’ti. Rājā ‘‘sādhū’’ti sampaṭicchitvā nagarassa ekapasse bhikkhunisaṅghassa vasanaṭṭhānaṃ kārāpesi. Tato paṭṭhāya bhikkhuniyo antogāmeyeva vasantīti.

Now the Teacher summoned King Pasenadi Kosala and said to him, "Your majesty, in this Religion young women of family, as well as young men of family, renounce many kinsfolk and much wealth, retire from the world, and take up residence in the forest. In case women reside in the forest, it is possible that evil-minded men, inflamed by lust, may conduct themselves towards them with disrespect and arrogance, do them violence, and bring their religious life to naught. Therefore a place of residence for the Community of Nuns should be erected within the city." The king agreed to this and had a place of residence for the Community of Nuns erected on one side of the city. From that time on the nuns resided only within the city.