[410] The bhikkhu who has been agreed upon should sweep the surrounding yard, set out drinking water and water for washing, prepare a seat, take a companion, and sit down. The bhikkhunīs, having gone there and paid homage to that bhikkhu, should sit down to one side. The bhikkhu who has been agreed upon [1] should ask them: "Are you assembled in unity, sisters?" If they say, "We are united, venerable sir," [he should ask:] "Are the eight principles of respect (garudhamma) being kept up, sisters?" If they say, "They are being kept up, venerable sir," [2] he should hand it over, saying: "This, sisters, is the exhortation (ovāda)." If they say, "They are not being kept up, venerable sir," he should recite them:
"A bhikkhunī, though ordained for a hundred years, must perform homage, rising up in respect, reverential salutation, and the proper duties toward a bhikkhu ordained that very day. This [3] rule, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts.
"A bhikkhunī must not spend the rains in a residence where there is no bhikkhu. This rule too, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts.
"Every half-month a bhikkhunī should expect [4] two things from the bhikkhu Saṅgha: the asking about the uposatha observance and the approaching for exhortation. This rule too, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts.
"A bhikkhunī who has completed the rains must invite correction (pavāraṇā) before both Saṅghas with respect to three grounds: what has been seen, what has been heard, or what is suspected. This rule too, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts.
"A bhikkhunī who has transgressed a principle of respect must undergo the half-month penance (pakkhamānatta) before both Saṅghas. This rule too, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts.
"By a probationer (sikkhamānā) who has trained for two years in the six rules, higher ordination (upasampadā) must be sought from both Saṅghas. This rule too, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts.
"A bhikkhunī must not in any manner abuse or revile a bhikkhu. This rule too, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts.
"From this day forward, the way of speech of bhikkhunīs toward bhikkhus is closed; the way of speech of bhikkhus toward bhikkhunīs is not closed. This rule too, having been honored, respected, esteemed, and venerated, is not to be transgressed as long as life lasts."
If they say, "We are united, venerable sir," and he speaks another teaching (dhamma), there is an offense of wrong-doing (dukkaṭa). If they say, "We are incomplete [a faction], venerable sir," and he recites the eight principles of respect, there is an offense of dukkaṭa. If, without having handed over the exhortation, he speaks another teaching, there is an offense of dukkaṭa.
[Variant readings:] 1. M. Yu.: this reading ("sammatena") is absent. 2. M.: "vattantāyyā"; likewise below. 3. M.: "ayampi." 4. M.: "paccāsīsitabbā."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.