Shāmínī líjiè wén 沙彌尼離戒文

The Text of the Liberation Precepts for Novice Nuns (translator unknown)

About the work

A one-fascicle anonymous compilation of the ten precepts for śrāmaṇerī 沙彌尼 (novice nuns), framed as a recitation-text. Translator and date unknown.

Prefaces

No translator-attribution survives.

Abstract

The Shāmínī líjiè wén presents the śrāmaṇerī precepts in continuous recitation-format, similar in function to a prātimokṣa but for the novice rank. The title 離戒 líjiè “liberation precepts” reflects the Pāli vimutti-sīla concept — the ten precepts as conducive to liberation. Together with KR6k0063 this text supplied the practical Vinaya for the early-medieval Chinese śrāmaṇerī-saṅgha.

Translations and research

  • Heirman, Ann. Rules for Nuns according to the Dharmaguptakavinaya. Delhi, 2002.