[429] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling among the Sakyans at Kapilavatthu, in the Nigrodhārāma. Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus, having gone to the bhikkhunīs' quarters, were exhorting the group-of-six bhikkhunīs.
The bhikkhunīs said this to the group-of-six bhikkhunīs: "Come, ladies, we shall go for the exhortation (ovāda)."
"Why, ladies, should we go for the sake of the exhortation? The venerable group-of-six exhort us right here."
The bhikkhunīs criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus go to the bhikkhunīs' quarters and exhort the bhikkhunīs?" Then those bhikkhunīs informed the bhikkhus of this matter.
Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, complained, and spread it about: "How can the group-of-six bhikkhus go to the bhikkhunīs' quarters and exhort the bhikkhunīs?" …
"Is it true, as they say, bhikkhus, that you, having gone to the bhikkhunīs' quarters, exhort the bhikkhunīs?"
"It is true, Blessed One."
The Buddha, the Blessed One, rebuked them: "How could you, foolish men, having gone to the bhikkhunīs' quarters, exhort the bhikkhunīs? This, foolish men, is not conducive to the faith of those without faith …
"And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Whatever bhikkhu, having gone to the bhikkhunīs' quarters, should exhort bhikkhunīs, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya)."
And thus was this training rule laid down by the Blessed One for the bhikkhus.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.