Sex with a nun? - "Seinfeld" (video)

Dhr. Seven, Eliza Darcey, Crystal Quintero (eds.), Bhikkhuni Sutra: "The Nun" (AN 4.159); Kramer, Seinfeld; Ven. Thanissaro/Geoffrey DeGraff (original trans.), accesstoinsight.org

Buddhist nuns have a strict monastic code.

Thus have I heard. On one occasion Venerable Ananda was staying in Kosambi, at Ghosita's Park.

Then a certain nun said to a man: "Go, my good man, to Ven. Ananda and, bowing your head to his feet in my name, say to him:

"'Venerable sir, the nun such-and-such is sick, in pain, severely ill. She bows her head to the feet of Ven. Ananda and says, "It would be good if Ven. Ananda were to go to the nuns' quarters to visit this nun out of sympathy for her."'"

Responding, "Yes, lady," the man did so. Ven. Ananda accepted in silence.

 

Then early in the morning, having dressed and taking his bowl and cloak, Ven. Ananda went to the nuns' quarters.

Trouble in bed? Head bowed under covers.

The nun saw Ven. Ananda coming from afar and, seeing him, she lay down on a bed, having covered her head.

 
Then Ven. Ananda approached the nun and sat down on a previously prepared seat. Sitting there, he said to the nun:

Ananda teaches
"This body, sister, comes into being through food, yet it is by relying on food that food is to be abandoned.
 
"This body comes into being through craving, yet it is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.

"This body comes into being through conceit, yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.

"This body comes into being through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is to be abandoned. With regard to sexual intercourse, the Buddha declares the cutting off of the bridge.

Explanation

Mistakes were made, Ven. Ananda.

"'This body, sister, comes into being through food, yet it is by relying on food that food is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said, but in reference to what was it said?

"There is the case, sister, where a [Buddhist] monastic, considering it thoughtfully, consumes food -- not playfully, not for intoxication, not for putting on bulk, not for beautification -- but simply for the survival and the continuation of this body, for ending its afflictions, for the support of the monastic life [thinking,] 'In this way will I destroy old feelings [of hunger] and not create new feelings [of overeating]. I will maintain myself, be blameless, and live in comfort.'

"Then one eventually abandons food, having relied on food. 'This body, sister, comes into being through food, yet it is by relying on food that food is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.
 
"'This body comes into being through craving, yet it is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said, but in reference to what was it said?

Nirvana

"There is the case, sister, where a monastic hears, 'The monastic such-and-such, they say, through the ending of the defilements [and taints and fetters], has entered and abides in the defilement-free release-through-awareness and release-through-wisdom, having known and seen these things for oneself here and now.'

"The thought occurs to one, 'I hope that I, too, will -- through the cessation of the defilements -- enter and abide in the defilement-free release-through-awareness and release-through-wisdom, having known and seen these things for myself here and now.'

"Then one eventually abandons craving, having relied on craving. 'This body comes into being through craving. Yet it is by relying on craving that craving is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.

"'This body comes into being through conceit. Yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said, but in reference to what was it said?

"There is the case, sister, where a monastic hears, 'The monastic such-and-such, they say, through the ending of the defilements, has entered and abides in the defilement-free release-through-awareness and release-through-wisdom, having known and realized these things for oneself here and now.'

"The thought occurs, 'The monastic such-and-such, they say, through the ending of the defilements, has entered and abides in the defilement-free release-through-awareness and release-through-wisdom, having known and seen these things for oneself here and now. Then why not me?'

"Then one eventually abandons conceit, having relied on conceit. 'This body comes into being through conceit, yet it is by relying on conceit that conceit is to be abandoned.' Thus was it said, and in reference to this was it said.

"This body comes into being through sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse is to be abandoned. With regard to sexual intercourse, the Buddha declares the cutting off of the bridge."

Confession
Then the nun -- getting up from her bed, arranging her upper robe over one shoulder and bowing down with her head at Ven. Ananda's feet -- said:

"A transgression [an offense entailing defeat such as sexual intercourse?] has overcome me, venerable sir, in that I was so foolish, so muddle-headed, and so unskilled as to act in this way. May Ven. Ananda please accept this confession of my transgression as such, so that I may restrain myself in the future."

"Yes, sister, a transgression overcame you in that you were so foolish, so muddle-headed, and so unskilled as to act in this way. But because you see your transgression as such and make amends in accordance with the Dharma, we accept your confession.

"For it is a cause of growth in the Dharma and Discipline of the noble ones when, seeing a transgression as such, one makes amends in accordance with the Dharma and exercises restraint in the future."

That is what Ven. Ananda said. Gratified, the nun delighted in Ven. Ananda's words.