Life in Ancient India as Depicted in the Jain Canons, with Commentaries: An Administrative, Economic, Social and Geographical Survey c12.s12.4

c12.s12.4

We have instances when the nuns were lured by the householders.⁹⁸ Sometimes they were raped by force. It is laid down that under such circumstances a nun should immediately inform her teacher. It is stated that, even if a nun gets pregnant, she should not be turned out from the Saṅgha, but the offender must be punished. It is said that if nobody knew of her pregnancy, the nun should be kept in the house of a śrāvaka. If it is revealed, the nun should be kept in the upāśraya and must not be sent out for alms. If some people made remarks, they must be told that she could not be abandoned in such conditions. Anyhow the nun should be defended by citing examples of Kesi and Saṭyaki who were born of nuns without being guilty, and should be looked after properly.⁹⁹