[298] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in the Jeta Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the Venerable Udāyi was a frequenter of families (kulūpaka) in Sāvatthī, and he visited many families. Then in the forenoon the Venerable Udāyi, having dressed and taken his bowl and robe, approached a certain family. Now at that time the housewife was seated at the door of the dwelling, and the daughter-in-law of the house was seated at the door of the living quarters. Then the Venerable Udāyi approached the housewife, and having approached, taught the Dhamma to the housewife close to her ear. Then it occurred to the daughter-in-law: "Is that ascetic my mother-in-law's lover, or is he speaking to her suggestively?" Then the Venerable Udāyi, having taught the Dhamma to the housewife close to her ear, approached the daughter-in-law, and having approached, taught the Dhamma to the daughter-in-law close to her ear. Then it occurred to the housewife: "Is that ascetic the daughter-in-law's lover, or is he speaking to her suggestively?" Then the Venerable Udāyi, having taught the Dhamma to the daughter-in-law close to her ear, departed.
Then the housewife said to the daughter-in-law: "Here, girl, what did that ascetic say to you?"
"He taught the Dhamma to me, my lady. But what did he say to you, my lady?"
"He taught the Dhamma to me as well."
Those women criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can Master Udāyi teach the Dhamma to a woman (mātugāma) close to her ear? Should not the Dhamma be taught with a distinct, open voice?"
Bhikkhus heard those women criticizing, complaining, and spreading it about. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about, saying: "How indeed can the Venerable Udāyi teach the Dhamma to a woman?" Then those bhikkhus reported this matter to the Blessed One. …
"Is it true, as they say, Udāyi, that you taught the Dhamma to a woman?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked him: "How indeed can you, foolish man (moghapurisa), teach the Dhamma to a woman? This, foolish man, is not for the confidence of those without confidence …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule:
"Whatever bhikkhu should teach the Dhamma to a woman, there is an offense of pācittiya."
And thus this training rule was laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.