Could you explain what it means when you say, “the purpose of the two-year probationary stage is to ensure that candidates for Bhikshuni ordination are not pregnant?”

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"III. Third A candidate receives the precepts of a probationary nun. The purpose of the two-year probationary stage is to ensure that candidates for Bhikshuni (probationary nun) ordination are not pregnant and allows time to provide the candidates with thorough training.  The two-year probationary period is not required for monks.”

 

To become a Bhikshuni, one must begin by asking for the ordination as a Sikkhamana

(a woman in training) undergoing a probationary course. This probationary course of training is supervised by a monk and a nun for two years. There was a particular case of a married woman who asked for ordination without knowing that she had conceived. Her pregnancy came to light after her ordination. Because of this incident, a rule was laid down and women now go through the Sikkhamana training for two years. During the two years of training, should she break any one of the precepts she would begin her period of training again. It is required that she must meet the requirement of two continuous years of training without transgression.

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