[447] At that time the Buddha, the Blessed One, was dwelling at Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's monastery. Now at that time the venerable Udāyi was skilled at doing robe-work. A certain bhikkhunī approached the venerable Udāyi and, having approached, said to the venerable Udāyi: "It would be good, venerable sir, if the master would sew a robe for me." Then the venerable Udāyi, having sewn a robe for that bhikkhunī, having dyed it well and finished it well, raised in the middle of it a picture of his own invention (paṭibhāṇacitta); then, having folded it, he put it aside.
Then that bhikkhunī approached the venerable Udāyi and, having approached, said to the venerable Udāyi: "Where, venerable sir, is that robe?" "Here, sister — take this robe just as it is folded, put it away, and when the bhikkhunī Saṅgha comes for the exhortation, then put on this robe and come along right behind the bhikkhunī Saṅgha." Then that bhikkhunī, having carried away that robe just as it was folded and put it away, when the bhikkhunī Saṅgha came for the exhortation, put on that robe and came along right behind the bhikkhunī Saṅgha.
People criticized, denounced, and spread it about, saying: "How wanton are these bhikkhunīs — scoundrels, shameless — in that they will raise a picture of someone's invention upon a robe!" The bhikkhunīs said: "Whose work is this?" "Master Udāyi's." "Such a thing would not become even those who are wanton, roguish, and shameless — how much less master Udāyi!"
Then those bhikkhunīs reported this matter to the bhikkhus. Those bhikkhus who were of few wishes … criticized, denounced, and spread it about: "How can the venerable Udāyi sew a robe for a bhikkhunī?" … "Is it true, as they say, Udāyi, that you sewed a robe for a bhikkhunī?" "It is true, Blessed One." "Is she a relative of yours, Udāyi, or not a relative?" "Not a relative, Blessed One." "Foolish man, one who is not a relative does not know, with regard to a woman who is not a relative, what is proper or improper, what inspires confidence or does not inspire confidence. How could you, foolish man, sew a robe for a bhikkhunī who is not a relative? This, foolish man, is not for the confidence of those without confidence … And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule: 'Whatever bhikkhu should sew, or cause to be sewn, a robe for a bhikkhunī who is not a relative, there is an offense of expiation (pācittiya).'"
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.