[457] Now at that time several bhikkhus and bhikkhunīs were traveling along the highway from Sāketa to Sāvatthī. On the way there was a river that had to be crossed. Then those bhikkhunīs said this to those bhikkhus: "We too will cross over together with the venerable sirs."
"Sister, it is not proper to board one boat by prior arrangement together with a bhikkhunī. Either you cross over first, or we will cross over."
"Venerable sirs, the masters are the foremost among men; let the masters themselves cross over first."
Then, as those bhikkhunīs were crossing over afterwards, thieves robbed them and violated them. Then those bhikkhunīs, having gone to Sāvatthī, informed the bhikkhunīs of this matter. The bhikkhunīs informed the bhikkhus of this matter. The bhikkhus informed the Blessed One of this matter.
Then the Blessed One, on that account, on that occasion, having given a talk on the Dhamma, addressed the bhikkhus: "Bhikkhus, I allow boarding one boat by prior arrangement together with a bhikkhunī for the purpose of crossing over to the other side. And thus, bhikkhus, you should recite this training rule (sikkhāpada):
"Should any bhikkhu, by prior arrangement together with a bhikkhunī, board one boat, whether going upstream or going downstream, except for crossing over to the other side, there is an offense of pācittiya."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.