Numbered Discourses 8.52

6. Gotamī

An Adviser for Nuns

At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Great Wood, in the hall with the peaked roof. Then Venerable Ānanda went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha:

“Sir, how many qualities should a monk have to be deemed an adviser for nuns?”

“Ānanda, a monk with eight qualities may be deemed an adviser for nuns. What eight?

Firstly, a monk is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and seeking alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they’ve undertaken.

They’re learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s totally full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reciting them, mentally scrutinizing them, and comprehending them theoretically.

Both monastic codes have been passed down to them in detail, well analyzed, well mastered, well judged in both the rules and accompanying material.

They’re a good speaker. Their voice is polished, clear, articulate, and expresses the meaning.

They’re able to educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire the community of nuns.

They’re likable and agreeable to most of the nuns.

They have never previously sexually harassed any woman wearing the ocher robe who has gone forth in the Buddha’s name.

They have been ordained for twenty years or more.

A monk with these eight qualities may be deemed an adviser for nuns.”