[406] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, in Anāthapiṇḍika's park. Now at that time the elder bhikkhus, exhorting the bhikkhunīs, were recipients of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Then it occurred to the group-of-six bhikkhus: "Friends, at present the elder bhikkhus, exhorting the bhikkhunīs, are recipients of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicinal requisites for the sick. Come, friends, let us too exhort the bhikkhunīs." Then the group-of-six bhikkhus approached the bhikkhunīs and said this: "Come, sisters, approach us too; we also will exhort you." Then those bhikkhunīs approached the group-of-six bhikkhus; having approached and paid homage to the group-of-six bhikkhus, they sat down to one side. Then the group-of-six bhikkhus, having given the bhikkhunīs only a brief talk on the Dhamma and having passed the day with pointless worldly talk (tiracchānakathā), dismissed them, saying: "Go, sisters."
Then those bhikkhunīs approached the Blessed One; having approached and paid homage to the Blessed One, they stood to one side. As they stood to one side, the Blessed One said this to those bhikkhunīs: "Bhikkhunīs, was the exhortation effective?" "How, venerable sir, could the exhortation be effective? The masters of the group of six, having given only a brief talk on the Dhamma and having passed the day with pointless worldly talk, dismissed us." Then the Blessed One instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened those bhikkhunīs with a talk on the Dhamma. Then those bhikkhunīs, having been instructed, roused, inspired, and gladdened by the Blessed One with a talk on the Dhamma, rose from their seats, paid homage to the Blessed One, circumambulated him keeping him on their right, and departed.
Then the Blessed One, in that connection, on that occasion, having had the community of bhikkhus (Saṅgha) convened, questioned the group-of-six bhikkhus: "Is it true, bhikkhus, that you, having given the bhikkhunīs only a brief talk on the Dhamma and having passed the day with pointless worldly talk, dismissed them?" "It is true, Blessed One." The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How could you, foolish men, having given the bhikkhunīs only a brief talk on the Dhamma and having passed the day with pointless worldly talk, dismiss them? This, foolish men, is not conducive to the confidence of those without confidence, nor to the increase of confidence of those who have it …" Having rebuked them and given a talk on the Dhamma, he addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow the appointment of an exhorter of bhikkhunīs (bhikkhunovādaka). And thus, bhikkhus, should he be appointed. First the bhikkhu should be requested. Having been requested, the Saṅgha should be informed by a learned, competent bhikkhu:
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, the Saṅgha should appoint the bhikkhu named so-and-so as exhorter of bhikkhunīs. This is the motion (ñatti).
"'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The Saṅgha appoints the bhikkhu named so-and-so as exhorter of bhikkhunīs. Any venerable one to whom the appointment of the bhikkhu named so-and-so as exhorter of bhikkhunīs is agreeable should remain silent; anyone to whom it is not agreeable should speak.
"'A second time I speak on this matter … A third time I speak on this matter. Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha listen to me. The Saṅgha appoints the bhikkhu named so-and-so as exhorter of bhikkhunīs. Any venerable one to whom the appointment of the bhikkhu named so-and-so as exhorter of bhikkhunīs is agreeable should remain silent; anyone to whom it is not agreeable should speak.
"'The bhikkhu named so-and-so has been appointed by the Saṅgha as exhorter of bhikkhunīs. It is agreeable to the Saṅgha; therefore it is silent. Thus do I hold it.'"
Then the Blessed One, having rebuked the group-of-six bhikkhus in many ways for their being difficult to support … "And thus, bhikkhus, should you recite this training rule (sikkhāpada): 'Whatever bhikkhu, not appointed, should exhort bhikkhunīs, 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.